Rijksmuseum Schiphol in Amsterdam Explores Changing Landscapes Through 19th-Century Art
From 5 November 2022 to November 2023, the Rijksmuseum Schiphol in Amsterdam hosted "Longing for Nature," an exhibition showcasing eleven 19th-century landscape paintings from the main museum's collection. This unique display, located within Amsterdam's Schiphol Airport, offered travellers and visitors a chance to delve into the evolution of landscape art and its reflection of the societal shifts during the rise of industry.
The exhibition featured works by notable artists such as Willem Roelofs, Anton Mauve, and Richard Roland Holst, illustrating how the depiction of nature transformed from grand, imposing scenes to more intimate views increasingly marked by human influence and a growing desire for unspoiled wilderness.
Nature's Depiction Before Industrialization
Before the mid-19th century, artists often portrayed nature as a powerful and enduring force, largely untouched by human hands. Paintings from this era, exemplified by Willem Roelofs' 1850 piece, Landscape with a Thunderstorm Brewing, emphasized drama and contrast, while works like Barend Cornelis Koekkoek's Landscape with a Rainstorm Threatening (c. 1825-1829) presented idyllic, peaceful settings with shepherds enjoying a simple existence in panoramic fields.
The Industrial Revolution's Influence on Art
The landscape of art shifted dramatically with the advent of the Industrial Revolution. As human activity intensified and natural resources were exploited, artists began to observe nature retreating to make way for expanding agriculture and growing urban centers. Many painters sought refuge in rural areas, capturing the changing environment and their longing for the natural world. Notable works from this period include Julius van de Sande Bakhuyzen's Landscape in Drenthe (1882) and Paul Joseph Constantin Gabriël's Landscape near Kortenhoef (1877).
Innovations in Outdoor Painting
Technological advancements in painting equipment, such as the introduction of the paint tube and the portable easel, revolutionized artistic practice. These innovations allowed artists to venture outdoors and paint directly from nature, capturing immediate observations with greater detail. This period saw a heightened focus on elements like the play of light on water, or the textures of sand and snow, as seen in Anton Mauve’s Winter in the Scheveningen Woods (c. 1870-1888).
Reflecting Nostalgia in Late 19th-Century Landscapes
Towards the close of the 19th century, a new idealization of nature emerged in painting. Artists began to imbue their landscapes with a sense of nostalgia and tranquility, moving away from depicting nature as purely powerful towards more intimate and reflective compositions. An example of this evolving sentiment is Richard Roland Holst’s Corner of a Garden with Nasturtiums (1891).
Visiting the Rijksmuseum at Schiphol Airport
The Rijksmuseum Schiphol offers a unique cultural experience, being the first art museum to establish a branch within an airport. Since 2002, this accessible venue has provided travellers with free, 24-hour access to artworks. Located between Lounge 2 and 3, beyond security at Amsterdam Airport Schiphol, it provides a perfect opportunity for those passing through to engage with Dutch art and history.
The exhibition "Longing for Nature" concluded its run in November 2023. For those interested in the broader history of Dutch landscape painting, insights can be found in Mirror of Reality. 19th-Century Painting in the Netherlands by Jenny Reynaerts, a senior curator at the Rijksmuseum.
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