Twee geraniums in potten voor een deur of hek c. 1898

Nicolaas van der Waay made this pencil drawing of geraniums in pots in front of a door. We cannot be sure exactly when this drawing was made, but Van der Waay was active in the Netherlands during a time of great social and political change. Geraniums, like those depicted here, are a common household plant often associated with domesticity and the middle class. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, as cities grew and industrialized, the home became an increasingly important symbol of stability and order. This drawing may be a commentary on the changing social landscape of the Netherlands at the time, reflecting a desire for a return to simpler, more traditional values. As an art historian, my role is to consider not just the image itself, but also the broader social and cultural context in which it was created. Through careful research, we can gain a deeper understanding of the meaning and significance of art, and its role in shaping our understanding of the world.