Jos Mulder

Anthropocene III: The Beauty of a Dystopian Landscape

In 1912, Wassily Kandinsky wrote:

With his words, he shaped a profound critique of capitalist modernity, in which industrialisation was experienced as a "disenchantment" of the world: a loss of meaning, connection, and mystery. More than a century later, the destructive power of economic growth has only increased. In this context, Romantic philosophy resonates not merely as an echo from the past, but as an urgent and timely cry for help.

The Anthropocene III series of paintings is rooted in this Romantic tradition and centres the existential questions of our time. In a world characterised by climate change, ecological depletion, and spiritual alienation, the desire for meaning and connection grows. These works depict tranquil confrontations between nature, human presence, and global CO2 emissions. Not ready-made answers, but an invitation to reflection.

For me, art is more than art for art's sake, and more than just personal expression. Art is also a powerful tool for social awareness.

The relationship between humanity and nature is a constant thread in my work. What began as a sense of wonder about the interplay between human intervention and nature's resilience has evolved into a committed stance. Not only regarding climate and ecology, but especially regarding humanity's relationship with nature.

More information can be found at www.josmulder.com, where a brochure about my creative process is available each semester. You can also find my thesis, "A Romantic Nature," there.

View my thesis here.