Twee ruiters in een landschap en een staande vrouw c. 1840 - 1860

Charles Rochussen made this pencil drawing, depicting two riders in a landscape and a standing woman, in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-19th century. The sketch gives us a glimpse into the Dutch Romantic era, a period marked by a renewed interest in national history and identity, often expressed through idealized depictions of daily life. Rochussen's choice of subject matter reflects the tastes of the Dutch middle class, who were eager to assert their cultural values. The riders and the elegantly dressed woman evoke a sense of idealized leisure and social harmony, reflecting the conservative values of the time. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing is housed, played a crucial role in shaping Dutch national identity, as it collected and displayed artworks that celebrated Dutch history and culture. By studying archival sources, such as exhibition catalogues, period reviews, and the artist's biography, we can better understand how Rochussen’s art was received and interpreted by his contemporaries, as well as its place in the broader social and cultural landscape of the Netherlands.