Haarlem gezien vanaf Boekenrode

About this artwork

Gezicht op Haarlem met bos en akkers op de voorgrond, gezien vanaf buitenplaats Boekenrode in Aerdenhout.

Art Historical Context

This charming etching by Hermanus Numan captures a serene view of Haarlem as seen from the country estate of Boekenrode in Aerdenhout. Created between 1790 and 1797, the work depicts the city’s skyline rising gently above a foreground of woods and cultivated fields, offering viewers a harmonious blend of urban and rural Dutch scenery. Numan, active in the late eighteenth century, specialized in landscape prints that celebrated the Netherlands’ distinctive topography. As an etching, the medium allowed Numan to render delicate lines and subtle tonal variations, evoking the soft light and expansive skies typical of the Dutch countryside. Such topographical views were popular among collectors who valued both artistic beauty and a sense of place, reflecting a broader cultural appreciation for the nation’s historic cities and estates during this period. Measuring roughly 23 by 26 centimeters, the print’s intimate scale invites close looking, rewarding visitors with intricate details of trees, paths, and distant rooftops that bring late-eighteenth-century Holland vividly to life.

About the Artist

Hermanus Numan · 1744–1820

Hermanus Numan (1744-1820) was one of the leading Dutch watercolourists of the eighteenth century and a versatile artist who worked across multiple media including painting, printmaking, and theater design. Born in Ezinge and trained in decorative arts before pursuing fine art, Numan developed into a specialist in landscape watercolors, particularly views of country estates and parks that he made ...