Vrouw en man met kind c. 1846 - 1882

This is a watercolor sketch of a family scene by Cornelis Springer, a Dutch artist born in 1817. Here we see a woman, man, and child standing near a building. The clothing they wear evokes the Dutch Golden Age of the 17th century, a time of great prosperity and artistic flourishing in the Netherlands. Springer was active in the 19th century, and he made a career of painting romanticized views of Dutch cities and historical scenes. His cityscapes were popular with tourists and collectors. The image offers a glimpse into Dutch national identity and its construction through art. As a cultural product, the image perpetuates a particular view of the past that is connected to notions of national pride. To understand the image, it is helpful to research 19th-century Dutch art institutions and the art market, as well as the prevailing social and political attitudes of the time. Ultimately, this family scene reminds us that art is shaped by the society in which it is created.