Exhibition 'Trees That Tell: A Tribute to Endangered Nature'

Nature, poetry and painting are united in the spring exhibition ‘Trees That Tell. A Tribute to Endangered Nature'.

The Dutch artist Christiaan Kuitwaard (1965) and poet Jan Kleefstra (1964) use their paintings and poetry to express their concerns about declining biodiversity. In 2023, the duo worked with author Annelies Henstra to publish the book Boswerk, about the loss of trees and forests in the Netherlands.

For the project, Kuitwaard painted 56 small plein-air works, made with charming colours and using various styles and perspectives. The artist and poet headed outside to work together every week for a year; Kuitwaard painting and Kleefstra noting his poetic musings.

View the work of Kleefstra and Kuitwaard alongside plein-air works from our collection. Kuitwaard’s working method conjures associations with the Hague School: artists who enjoyed working outside and had an affinity with nature.

With thanks to