Figuurstudies en wandelaars in een park 1825 - 1899

Alexander Schaepkens created "Figure Studies and Walkers in a Park" with pen in gray ink, sometime in the 19th century. During the 1800s, there was a growing emphasis on observing and capturing everyday life, particularly within the rising middle class, of which Schaepkens was a part. This sheet of studies offers a glimpse into the era's fascination with leisure and social observation. Schaepkens sketches capture fleeting moments of people interacting in public spaces, reflecting the increasing accessibility and popularity of parks as social arenas. These figures become stand-ins for the social dynamics of the time. There is an emotional quality in these figures, in these various states of observation, as if something is happening just beyond the frame. The artwork is more than just a collection of studies; it reflects societal shifts and cultural values of the 19th century. Its lasting appeal reminds us of the ongoing importance of public spaces as sites of social interaction.