Aangemeerde boot, op de kade een man 1919

Willem Bastiaan Tholen made this drawing of a boat with pencil on paper. The quiet image of a boat moored at the quay raises questions about the maritime culture of the Netherlands and the role of its art institutions. Consider the cultural context in which Tholen was working. The late 19th century in the Netherlands was a time of significant social and economic change. The art world, too, was evolving, with artists seeking to break away from traditional academic styles and embrace more modern approaches. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing is housed, was itself a product of this era, established to showcase Dutch art and history. Tholen's choice of subject matter—a simple boat—reflects a broader interest in everyday life and the working classes. To fully understand this drawing, we need to consider the social and economic conditions that shaped its creation. Archival sources, such as letters and exhibition catalogs, could offer insights into the artist's intentions and the reception of his work. Art history reminds us that art is not created in a vacuum but is deeply embedded in its social and institutional context.