Gezicht op de duinen buiten Den Haag 1811 - 1816

Robert Hills made this pencil and watercolor work of the Dutch landscape just outside The Hague in the early 19th century. It's a simple landscape with a solitary figure fishing. Yet, the muted tones and the focus on everyday life offer a glimpse into the social fabric of the Netherlands at the time. We can think about how the geography of the lowlands shaped its culture and economy. The figure fishing reminds us of the importance of waterways and the fishing industry to the Dutch. But, it also prompts questions about access to resources and who has the right to fish in these waters. To truly understand this image, we need to delve into the economic and social history of the region, exploring archival documents and records of daily life. Art like this is contingent on its social and institutional context.