Bank tussen twee bomen 1848 - 1888

Editor: Here we have "Bank tussen twee bomen," or "Bench Between Two Trees," a pencil drawing by Anton Mauve, probably created sometime between 1848 and 1888. It's currently in the Rijksmuseum. I'm struck by how simple and understated it is, almost like a fleeting thought captured on paper. What stands out to you in this piece? Curator: Well, looking at it through a historical lens, I'm intrigued by what it reveals about the social value of leisure and the changing relationship between humans and nature during the mid-to-late 19th century. Mauve was part of the Hague School, which really emphasized naturalism and realism. Doesn't it strike you as almost a rejection of academic artifice? Editor: Absolutely, the sketchiness really emphasizes the natural and authentic. Was the "common person’s leisure" really a subject of artistic exploration at the time? Curator: It was becoming increasingly important, yes. This connects to larger shifts in society: industrialization allowing more free time and a growing appreciation for the outdoors, not just for its economic resources, but also as a space for recreation. I wonder if the museum's acquisition of sketches like this, reflects changing artistic tastes. Editor: That's interesting to consider. So, in a way, this drawing documents the emergence of a new social dynamic? Curator: Precisely! It is not only a depiction of a scene, it signifies an acknowledgement, and in this case an almost romantic view, of this societal shift towards embracing leisure, accessible to more than just the aristocracy. The unpretentious style and subject matter are telling, and that affects its meaning, especially as we see it displayed today in the Rijksmuseum. What do you think its display signifies today? Editor: I suppose seeing it framed in such an esteemed location, it elevates a simple everyday scene to a work of art. It definitely gives me a fresh way of looking at something so simple. Curator: Agreed. Considering these socio-political and institutional dimensions really enriches our understanding.