Artwork
Herfst in het Haagse Bos
Herfst in het Haagse Bos is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Cornelis Johannes de Vogel. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Johannes de Vogel’s 1875 canvas entitled *Herfst in het Haagse Bos* presents a quiet autumnal landscape. The composition centers on a stand of trees whose foliage displays the seasonal shift, bordered by a calm water surface that mirrors the sky. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection, offering a glimpse into Dutch landscape painting of the late nineteenth century.
Subject & Meaning
The scene captures a moment of stillness in the Haagse Bos, with trees rendered in warm, turning hues and a few ducks gliding across the water. The tranquil atmosphere suggests a contemplative pause in nature, emphasizing the quiet beauty of the season rather than a narrative episode.
Technique & Style
De Vogel employs a restrained palette, juxtaposing deep greens of the canopy with soft blues of the sky and subtle ochres of fallen leaves. Light is handled with gentle gradations, creating a modest chiaroscuro that models forms without dramatic contrast, while the reflective water surface adds a delicate sense of depth.
History & Provenance
Painted in 1875, the canvas entered the Rijksmuseum’s holdings, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the museum’s broader effort to document Dutch landscape art of the period, preserving works that illustrate the country’s natural scenery and artistic approaches of the era.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Johannes de Vogel (1824–1879) was an artist, born in Dordrecht.
