Een Bijeenkomst om het model te zien (dagboek, 27 februari) 1805 - 1808

Christiaan Andriessen created this watercolor, titled "A Gathering to See the Model," on February 27th. But what kind of 'model' might be meant here? In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the art world in the Netherlands, like elsewhere in Europe, was highly institutionalized. Art academies played a central role, and the nude model was a key element in artistic training. However, access to these resources was often restricted by social class and gender. Consider the glimpse into the interior offered here, the servant bearing refreshments, and the presumably well-to-do Dutch artists who are about to enjoy them. Andriessen's work serves as a reminder that the creation and appreciation of art were embedded in specific social contexts and power dynamics. To further understand this work, one might look at the records of art academies and artists' societies of the time, examining their membership, curricula, and exhibition policies. The history of art is always contingent on social and institutional circumstances.