Figuren in zwemkleding 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this pen drawing called 'Figures in Swimwear' in the Netherlands, though we don't know exactly when. At first glance, it is simply a collection of quick figure sketches, studies of the human form in various poses. But looking closer, it reveals a moment in the social history of leisure. Consider the time in which Vreedenburgh was active. The early twentieth century saw increasing emphasis on physical fitness, and a growing culture of public bathing and swimming. The figures, clad in modest swimwear, capture a specific cultural shift: the rise of leisure culture and changing social attitudes toward the body. The artist was a student at the Academy of Visual Arts in The Hague between 1897 and 1900. Perhaps these are fellow students or ordinary citizens he observed on the beach. By researching the social history of swimwear and recreational activities in the Netherlands during the early 20th century, we can understand the cultural context that gave rise to this drawing.