Studieblad met zes bustes 1811 - 1867

Christiaan Wilhelmus Moorrees created this study sheet with six busts through etching, sometime in the first half of the 19th century. Study sheets like this one reflect the institutional structures of art education in Europe. The Dutch artist Moorrees likely produced this for academic purposes, perhaps for use in a classroom. The sheet presents a range of figural studies after other artworks. The figures' costumes represent different historical periods. This shows the influence of academic tradition, which emphasized the importance of studying and copying the works of earlier masters. The formal exercise of copying and variation had implications for artistic value. Art academies sought to establish a hierarchy of genres, with history painting at the top. This print gives us insight into the way artistic skill was cultivated and how historical styles were transmitted. To understand this study sheet more fully, we might consult archival records, such as the syllabi of art academies and collections of model books used for instruction. Examining the social and institutional context of its creation sheds light on the meanings it held for its creator and the artistic community of the time.