Landschap met een man en een jongetje bij een rivier

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2228

Art Historical Context

This delicate etching, *Landschap met een man en een jongetje bij een rivier*, captures a tranquil riverside scene rendered by Dutch artist Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar between 1798 and 1837. The small format—measuring just 143 by 167 millimeters—invites intimate viewing, drawing attention to the subtle interplay between the two figures and the surrounding landscape. Bagelaar’s choice of etching allowed for precise line work that evokes the soft light and reflective water typical of Dutch landscape traditions. Etchings like this one played an important role in the early nineteenth-century art market, offering affordable yet refined prints that brought nature’s quiet beauty into private homes. The presence of the collector’s mark Lugt 2228 further hints at its journey through distinguished collections, underscoring the enduring appeal of such modest yet evocative works. Through economical means, Bagelaar conveys a sense of peaceful companionship between humans their environment, a theme that continues to resonate with viewers today.

About the Artist

Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar · 1775–1837

Ernst Willem Jan Bagelaar (1775–1837) was a Dutch military officer and artist whose dual career exemplified the accomplished amateur tradition in European art. Born on September 16, 1775, in Eindhoven, Bagelaar first entered military service, eventually reaching the rank of colonel (overste), but early developed a strong interest in the fine arts. Though largely self-taught in etching, he acquired...