Artwork
De requisitie
De requisitie is an oil painting by the Realist artist Charles Rochussen. It dates from 1872 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
6 cm in height and 28 cm in width, the small-format oil on panel was created in 1872 and is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, acquired from Daniel Franken.
The painting depicts a horse standing beside a tree, a subject that symbolizes strength and rootedness within 19th-century Dutch genre symbolism. This iconography aligns with Rochussen's broader themes of rural life and natural elements as metaphors for stability.
Measured at 20.6 cm in height and 28 cm in width, the small-format oil on panel was created in 1872 and is part of the Rijksmuseum's collection, acquired from Daniel Franken.
The composition reflects contemporary interpretations of equine and arboreal imagery as carriers of moral and agricultural meaning in Dutch art.
Technique & Style
The work is an oil painting on panel, measuring 20.6 by 28 cm. The small scale and panel support allow for precise handling of detail, particularly in the depiction of horses and trees. The composition is rendered with a naturalistic palette and controlled brushwork characteristic of Rochussen's narrative style.
History & Provenance
The painting De requisitie was created by Charles Rochussen in 1872. Executed in oil paint on a panel, the work measures 20.6 cm in height and 28 cm in width. Its creation history is anchored to the year 1872, as recorded in the inception data.
The current ownership chain includes Daniel Franken, who is listed as the owner of the piece. The work is also associated with the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
Charles Rochussen's 1872 painting De requisitie is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. The work, executed in oil on panel, measures 20.6 cm in height and 28 cm in width. While the museum currently houses the piece, historical records indicate it was previously owned by Daniel Franken.
The provided sources do not contain specific accession numbers or a detailed list of past exhibitions for this artwork.
Overview
Created in 1872, De requisitie is an oil painting by Dutch artist Charles Rochussen. Executed within the Realist tradition, the work presents a bustling village scene where civilians and military personnel interact. The composition is anchored by a horse tied beside a tree, while figures in red caps and uniforms stand among townspeople, children, and domestic animals.
Context
The painting reflects broader social tensions in the Netherlands during the 1870s, when military requisitioning affected rural populations. By documenting ordinary people alongside armed forces, Rochussen aligns with Realist artists who sought to portray contemporary life without romanticization, offering a visual record of civic‑military relations of the period.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Rochussen (1 August 1814 in Kralingen – 22 September 1894 in Rotterdam) was a Dutch illustrator and printmaker.
