Tureluur in het gras 1878 - 1917

Theo van Hoytema made this pencil drawing, titled "Tureluur in het gras", though we don't know exactly when. Hoytema was working at a time when the Netherlands was rediscovering its national identity and rural roots. Look at how he frames the common redshank within its natural habitat. This interest in the local and the everyday, rather than grand historical or mythological scenes, reflects a broader cultural movement. The Rijksmuseum itself, where this drawing is housed, played a crucial role in shaping Dutch national identity. By collecting and displaying art that celebrated Dutch culture and history, it helped to construct a shared sense of belonging. To understand Hoytema's work more fully, we might delve into archives of ornithological studies or local histories. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.