Staande man met een vogel als offerdier 1849 - 1917

Matthijs Maris made this pencil drawing of a standing man with a bird as a sacrificial animal in the Netherlands. The drawing depicts a nude male figure holding a bird, presumably for sacrifice. Sacrifice is a ritual with deep roots in many cultures, often intended to appease deities or seek divine favor. In the 19th century, the Netherlands was undergoing significant social and religious changes, with debates about traditional beliefs. Maris, who was associated with the Hague School, often depicted introspective and dreamlike scenes. This drawing may reflect a broader cultural interest in ancient rituals, but also challenge the increasing secularization and positivist culture of the Netherlands at the time. To fully understand this work, researching Dutch religious and cultural history of the 19th century would be beneficial. Art historians examine these social contexts to better understand how the artist was in conversation with the art institutions of his day, and the politics of imagery at play.