Bloemstudies 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made these Bloemstudies, or flower studies, using graphite and watercolor. De Graag was working in the Netherlands in the early 20th century. At this time, the Dutch art world was wrestling with its relationship to symbolism and emerging modernist trends. De Graag’s delicate style and choice of subject matter reflect the influence of botanical illustration, which was experiencing a surge in popularity. Her careful, accurate drawings also hint at the importance of scientific observation in understanding nature, a feature of the Enlightenment’s legacy on European thought. The Rijksmuseum, where this work is held, was founded in the late 19th century, reflecting a new emphasis on art history as a source of national pride and identity. Examining the archives of institutions like the Rijksmuseum alongside the artist’s personal papers can reveal much about the social and cultural life of the time. We might ask: what was the public role of art, and what were the social conditions that shaped artistic production?