Croquet spelende vrouw en de kop van een geit 1848 - 1888

This graphite sketch, "Croquet spelende vrouw en de kop van een geit" was made by Anton Mauve, a Dutch realist painter, during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands. Mauve, who was a mentor to Vincent van Gogh, captures a woman at leisure, engaged in the sport of croquet, alongside the head of a goat. It is interesting to consider the juxtaposition of an upper class women playing a 'civilized' sport alongside an animal, perhaps used for work. This compositional choice might reflect on class distinctions. Mauve lived in a time when gender roles were clearly defined. By showing a woman playing croquet, Mauve hints at changing social dynamics, perhaps reflecting on the role of women within the domestic sphere. The artist treats the composition with soft lines, which gives it a feeling of familiarity and comfort. How does this intimate portrayal encourage us to reflect on the personal dimensions of societal transformation?