Studieblad met boot en vuurtoren 1870 - 1931

This drawing of a boat and lighthouse was made by Willem Bastiaan Tholen, a Dutch artist who lived from 1860 to 1931. Tholen came of age in a period of significant industrial expansion, economic change, and social reform. As you look at this work, consider the cultural and social context of the Netherlands during Tholen's life. The late 19th and early 20th centuries were marked by the rise of modern technology and infrastructure. Lighthouses and boats, depicted with simple, expressive lines, represent progress and the human relationship to the natural world. Tholen’s impressionistic style captures the atmosphere and the emotional resonance of the scene, rather than photographic accuracy. Tholen lived through a period of social transformation and his art reflects a sense of wonder and an appreciation for the beauty and resilience of the ordinary. What feelings does this drawing evoke in you?