Twee figuren 1849 - 1917

This is a drawing titled "Twee figuren," or "Two Figures," by Matthijs Maris. It's difficult to date precisely. Maris was a Dutch painter who lived from 1839 to 1917. The figures are sketched lightly with pencil, and they seem to float on the page in a dream-like state. Maris worked during a time when the art world was rapidly changing. Traditional art institutions like the academy were losing their grip on what was considered acceptable art. Many artists, like Maris, were experimenting with new styles and subjects. Holland was undergoing significant social changes in this period, and artists began to reflect on the changing society. We can research the social and institutional context that led to this changing attitude in artistic production. Maris’s work, in particular, reflects the growing interest in interiority and psychology that was becoming popular at the time.