Schetsboek met 43 bladen 1854 - 1914

This is a sketchbook with 43 pages, by Albert Neuhuys. Sketchbooks like this one offer an intimate glimpse into the artistic process. Produced at a time when Dutch art was grappling with questions of national identity, particularly in relation to rural life, the sketchbook represents an institutionalized, often romanticized, view of the countryside. Neuhuys's choice of subject matter, combined with his academic training, speaks to the complex interplay between artistic vision and social expectation. What was the role of Dutch artists and art institutions in shaping perceptions of the working class? Were they reinforcing stereotypes, or seeking to affect social change? Art historical research into the artist's life and times, including exhibition records, critical reviews, and social surveys, can provide valuable insights into the public role of art. The meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.