Landschap met drie wilgen langs een beek en een vissersboot op het water 1872 - 1913

Henri Rul created this landscape with three willows along a stream and a fishing boat on the water, using etching. Rul, who lived through both World Wars, presents us with a serene scene, yet the historical context cannot be ignored. Coming from a time of immense social upheaval, his choice to depict a tranquil countryside suggests a longing for peace but also perhaps a retreat from the harsh realities of a rapidly changing world. Note the figure in the boat. Is he escaping or working? Rul invites us to consider our relationship with the land, to think about labor, leisure, and the simple act of existing in a space. The willow trees, often symbols of sorrow and resilience, further deepen the emotional landscape. In a world marked by industrialization and conflict, Rul offers us a quiet moment to contemplate our place in nature and the enduring human spirit.