Aantekening aan Pieter Haverkorn van Rijsewijk after 1888

This page from the Memorial Catalogue of the French and Dutch Loan Collection, published in Edinburgh in 1888, gives us a glimpse into the art world of the late 19th century. It’s a window into the tastes and values of the time, revealing what was considered worthy of display and admiration. The descriptions offer more than just visual details; they hint at the social narratives embedded in the artworks. Take, for instance, the description of "The Sisters" by Jacobus Maris, an interior scene with a little blonde girl. It's a domestic tableau, evoking sentimental notions of family and childhood, while also subtly reinforcing the era's gendered expectations. The "Beggar" captures society’s gaze on the marginalized, offering a glimpse into social realities, perhaps softened for public consumption. These brief notes reflect a society grappling with its own identity, caught between celebrating domesticity and acknowledging the presence of poverty. These works mirror the complexities of a world on the cusp of great change.