Landschap met bomen en vrouw op ezel in ondiep water

About this artwork

verzamelaarsmerk, verso linksonder, gestempeld: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

**Landschap met bomen en op ezel in ondiep water (Landscape with Trees and Woman Donkey in Shallow Water)** *Willem Jan van den Berghe, 1848, etching, 95 × 135 mm* Created in 1848 by Dutch Willem Jan van den Berghe, this delicate etching captures a serene pastoral scene: a woman riding a donkey through shallow water, framed by trees in a tranquil landscape. Van den Berghe, active in the mid-19th century, specialized in intimate prints that evoke the quiet beauty of the Dutch countryside, blending Romantic sensitivity with precise observation. At just 95 by 135 mm, the work's small scale invites close viewing, highlighting the artist's skill in rendering subtle textures like rippling water and leafy foliage. Etching, an intaglio technique where acid bites designs into a metal plate, allowed van den Berghe to achieve fine lines and tonal depth ideal for landscape details. This medium was popular among 19th-century Dutch printmakers for its affordability and reproducibility, making art accessible beyond oil paintings. The piece bears a collector's mark (Lugt 2228) stamped verso lower left, signaling its provenance from a notable European collection and underscoring its enduring appeal to connoisseurs. In the revolutionary year of 1848, amid Europe's upheavals, such idyllic scenes offered escapist solace, reflecting a cultural nostalgia for nature amid industrialization. A charming gem for print enthusiasts!

About the Artist

Willem Jan van den Berghe · 1823–1901

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