Stilleven met een lamp, boeken, tekenmap en een vaas op een tafel 1834 - 1906

Maria Vos created this pencil drawing of a still life with a lamp, books, drawing portfolio, and a vase on a table sometime in the 19th century in the Netherlands. Vos was part of a generation of women artists who gained access to formal art training but were often excluded from the same exhibition opportunities as their male counterparts. In this drawing, we see objects associated with domestic life and artistic practice arranged in a seemingly casual yet deliberate manner. The lamp suggests a space of quiet contemplation, while the books and drawing portfolio hint at intellectual pursuits and artistic creation. Still life as a genre was considered appropriate subject matter for women artists, allowing them to demonstrate their technical skill while remaining within the confines of domesticity. To understand Vos's work more fully, we can research the art market and exhibition culture in the Netherlands during the 19th century. By examining archival materials, such as exhibition catalogues and artists' correspondence, we can gain insights into the social and institutional context in which she worked.