Twee mannen op een vissersboot en zeildoeken 1797 - 1838

Johannes Christiaan Schotel made this drawing of two men on a fishing boat with sails using graphite. During the Dutch Golden Age, marine painting rose to prominence, reflecting the maritime power and trade networks of the Netherlands. By the time Schotel was working, the Netherlands was no longer a leading power, but maritime subjects remained popular. Schotel made a career out of paintings of stormy seas and fishing boats. Here he gives us a behind-the-scenes look at his artistic process. Drawings like this one were not usually considered finished works of art. This sketch is like a note to himself, a reference for a future painting. This glimpse into Schotel's methods gives us insight into the institutional history of art. Knowing how and why an image was made can illuminate its cultural significance. To learn more, you might consult the artist's letters and other writings, read exhibition reviews and critiques, and study the history of art academies and museums. These sources help us understand the social life of art.