Liesbeth of Dora Arntzenius als kind, op een arm geleund 1870 - 1931

Willem Bastiaan Tholen made this drawing of Liesbeth of Dora Arntzenius as a child with pencil on paper. Tholen was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists active in the late 19th century. The Hague School sought to represent everyday life, often focusing on landscapes and scenes of rural labor. The work of the Hague School was consciously opposed to the formal traditions of the art academy, in favor of capturing the fleeting impressions of modern life. This sketch of Liesbeth is a particularly intimate portrayal of childhood, a glimpse into the domestic sphere. The Rijksmuseum, where this drawing is housed, plays a crucial role in shaping our understanding of Dutch art history. Through their collections and exhibitions, institutions like the Rijksmuseum establish a canon, influencing which artists and movements are remembered and celebrated. Historical resources, such as letters, exhibition catalogs, and critical reviews, can help us to better understand the cultural contexts in which artists like Tholen worked.