Studieblad met diverse boten en meeuwen 1870 - 1931

This is a study sheet of various boats and seagulls, created by Willem Bastiaan Tholen using graphite. Tholen lived in the Netherlands from 1860 to 1931 and this work shows his interest in portraying the natural world, typical of the Hague School. But it's important to see it as more than just a neutral depiction. During the late 19th century, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and economic changes. Fishing and maritime trade were central to the Dutch economy and national identity. Tholen's choice of subject matter reflects these realities. This sheet of studies has value not only as a preparatory drawing for a finished work, but as a visual record, showing how the artist understands the economy and geography around him. Art historians use sources such as trade statistics, social histories, and artists' letters to understand better the social, cultural, and economic contexts in which artworks are made.