Duinlandschap met helmgras c. 1876 - 1888

This is Anton Mauve’s pencil drawing, ‘Dune Landscape with Marram Grass,’ made sometime in the late 19th century. Mauve was a leading artist of the Hague School, known for its realist depictions of the Dutch landscape. The Hague School artists sought to capture the quiet, intimate moments of everyday life, turning away from the grand historical narratives that dominated earlier art. But what does it mean to focus on the intimate when class divisions are so stark? What does it mean to capture ‘everyday life’ when the industrial revolution dramatically reshaped the landscape and human experience? Think about the subtle social commentary inherent in choosing these subjects. Mauve's drawing, with its muted tones and focus on the natural world, evokes a sense of peace and introspection. It invites us to contemplate our relationship with the land and the simple beauty that can be found in the most unassuming of places. It's a quiet, powerful reflection on a changing world, and perhaps, a yearning for a simpler time.