Zittende vrouw op een stoel Possibly 1873

Cornelis Springer made this pencil drawing of a seated woman on a chair in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. This simple sketch gives us insight into the cultural and social life of the time. The woman's clothing, though quickly rendered, suggests a degree of modesty and formality in everyday attire. The drawing style, focusing on clear lines and careful shading, reflects the academic artistic training available at the time. It’s important to remember that even a simple sketch like this is embedded in a specific moment. The rise of the middle class in the Netherlands created a demand for images of everyday life. Artists found a market for these glimpses into the domestic sphere. This drawing, now housed in the Rijksmuseum, has moved from someone’s private collection to a public institution. By researching the art market, exhibition history, and the artist’s biography, we can enrich our understanding of this sketch and the world that produced it.