nature #191 Rien Poortvliet (1932-1995)

The canvas presents a fleeting moment within a rural landscape. Here we observe a young boy in mid-action, caught in the process of traversing a wooden fence. His posture suggests surprise and perhaps a degree of awkwardness; his body is angled sharply as he attempts to regain balance. The clothing – a blue jacket and dark trousers – indicates an informal setting, likely outdoors.
The composition is dominated by a dense thicket of foliage in the background, rendered with loose brushstrokes that evoke depth and texture. This backdrop contrasts with the foreground, where tall grasses fill much of the lower portion of the frame. The light appears to be diffused, creating soft shadows and highlighting the textures of both the vegetation and the wooden fence.
A significant element within the scene is a deer, positioned on the right side of the composition. It’s depicted in profile, its antlers prominently displayed, and it seems to be moving swiftly through the tall grass. The animals gaze is directed forward, suggesting an alertness or perhaps a sense of urgency.
The interaction between the boy and the deer introduces a narrative tension. One might interpret this as a depiction of youthful exuberance colliding with the natural world – a moment where human activity disrupts the tranquility of the wilderness. The boy’s fall could symbolize a loss of control, while the deers flight represents the inherent freedom and untamed nature of the environment.
The painting seems to explore themes of childhood, rural life, and the relationship between humanity and nature. There is an underlying sense of vulnerability present in both figures – the boy’s precarious position and the deer’s apparent haste – suggesting a delicate balance within this shared space. The artists choice to capture a single, transient moment contributes to the paintings overall feeling of immediacy and quiet contemplation.