Studieblad met figuren c. 1840 - 1860

This graphite drawing was made by Charles Rochussen in the Netherlands, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. We see multiple sketches of figures on a single sheet, including women in large dresses, children, and even a dog. Rochussen was a printmaker and painter known for his genre scenes and depictions of everyday life. These sketches may have been preparatory studies for larger works. His art captured the burgeoning middle class in the Netherlands, as it went through a period of industrialization and modernization. What is the artist trying to convey by depicting his figures like this? Is he simply trying to render the world around him, or is he commenting on the social structures of his time? To explore these questions further, we can consult sources such as exhibition catalogs, reviews in period journals, and the artist’s own writings, if any exist. Understanding the artist's position within the social and artistic landscape of his time is crucial to interpreting his work.