Twee paarden voor een schuur 1838 - 1887

Frederik Hendrik Weissenbruch made this drawing of two horses in front of a barn using graphite. Weissenbruch was part of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists active in the second half of the 19th century who focused on realistic depictions of rural life and landscapes. The Netherlands at this time was undergoing significant social and economic change, with increasing industrialization and urbanization. The Hague School artists often sought to capture a sense of the traditional Dutch countryside, perhaps as a commentary on these rapid changes. The focus on working animals and the rustic architecture suggests an interest in the everyday life of the rural working class, a common theme in European art of the 19th century. By studying the social and economic conditions of the Netherlands during Weissenbruch's time, and by comparing his work to that of other Hague School artists, we can better understand the cultural values and concerns that shaped this image.