Zomervacantie Possibly 1896 - 1898

Willem Vaarzon Morel created this print, titled "Zomervacantie" or Summer Holiday, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. This image captures a bustling summer scene, likely in the Netherlands, given the artist's nationality. It offers a glimpse into the leisure activities of the well-to-do during that period. We see people strolling through a wooded area, some on horseback, others engaged in animated conversation or perhaps even dancing. The print, with its detailed rendering of clothing and social interactions, serves as a social document. It reflects the values and pastimes of a specific social class at a particular moment in history. Understanding the context in which this print was created requires looking into the history of leisure, the development of seaside resorts, and the changing role of public space in Dutch society. It's through this kind of research that we can fully appreciate the richness and complexity of Morel's work, and the world it depicts.