Lopende man en vrouw 1936

Rob Graafland created this print titled, 'Lopende man en vrouw', which translates to 'Walking Man and Woman'. Painted sometime between Graafland’s birth and death, this artwork demonstrates a fascination with classical imagery that was common in the Netherlands. The figures' draped clothing and somewhat idealized features evoke the ancient world, even as their modern haircuts and delicate shoes root them in the early 20th century. Perhaps the artist is commenting on the human desire to find a timeless partner, or maybe he is portraying a classical ideal through a modern lens. In that time, the art academy was well established and artists often looked back to previous eras to re-imagine them in new and interesting ways. Looking at other artwork from this period, we can understand what the cultural norms and expectations were for artists, and perhaps even develop a deeper understanding of this print. As an art historian, that’s exactly how I would begin to unravel the mysteries of this evocative image.