Landschap met bomen en een schuur 1886 - 1890

Here we have Maria Vos's pencil drawing, "Landschap met bomen en een schuur," housed at the Rijksmuseum. Vos was part of a generation of women artists who navigated the male-dominated art world of the 19th century. Vos, like many women artists of her time, often focused on genres considered less prestigious, such as still life and landscape. This drawing gives us an intimate glimpse into her perception and experience of the natural world. What did it mean for a woman to depict the land? Did it offer an alternative perspective to the grand, heroic landscapes typically painted by men? Vos's choice of subject matter and her dedication to her craft challenged the limited roles prescribed to women. While her work might not have overtly addressed gender inequality, simply by claiming her space as an artist, she contributed to a changing cultural landscape. This drawing invites us to reflect on the quiet acts of resistance and the subtle ways in which women artists made their voices heard.