Beech

This monumental beech stands in Groenesteeg Cemetery, a no-longer-active burial ground, and is marked by a sign as the thickest tree in South Holland. At its base lies a remarkable artist: Floris Verster (1861–1927), known for his dramatic still lifes of wildflower bouquets. His work is one of my most important sources of inspiration, which gives this location a deeply personal significance.

This was my first large, realistic canvas, in which I tried to capture the atmosphere of this imposing giant on a cold, clear winter day. The bare branches stretch out like a network of veins against the pale sky, revealing every detail of bark and branching structure. The low perspective from the base of the trunk emphasizes the colossal dimensions of this centuries-old tree.

Acrylic paint allowed me to render the variety of textures in great detail: the rough, grooved bark, the smooth younger branches, and the soft mosses and lichens covering parts of the trunk. The cold winter air gives the entire composition a crystalline clarity, with every detail sharply outlined against the bright background.