Staande vrouw 1876 - 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this sketch of a standing woman with graphite on paper. Dijsselhof was a Dutch artist who was active at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th century. The sketch, now in the Rijksmuseum, offers a window into the aesthetic sensibilities of its time, capturing a woman in what appears to be a moment of domestic life. In the Netherlands during this period, art was deeply entwined with movements seeking to define national identity. Dijsselhof and his contemporaries were influenced by symbolism and art nouveau. They often aimed to evoke emotion and beauty through simplified forms, seeking inspiration from both local traditions and far-eastern art. Historians would use sources like exhibition catalogs, letters from the artist, and period publications to better understand the work. By appreciating the institutions and social contexts that shape artistic production, we can begin to understand the dialogue between art and society.