Dordrecht bij avond c. 1870 - 1899

'Dordrecht by Night' was painted by Jacob Maris sometime in the late 19th century, though the exact date remains unknown. It depicts the town of Dordrecht in the Netherlands under the cover of night. Maris was a leading figure of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who sought to capture the atmosphere of the Dutch landscape through the lens of impressionism. His choice of muted tones and subjects such as rivers, ports, and the Dutch coastline, reflect the solemnity of the Dutch experience. His paintings often evoke a melancholic mood, reflective of the difficult lives of the working class. This painting invites us to reflect on the relationship between the environment and its inhabitants. As we contemplate 'Dordrecht by Night', we're reminded of the enduring connection between the landscape and the human experience. It's an evocation of the collective memory and cultural identity that resides within the Dutch landscape.