Studies 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study with graphite, and while it's undated, it resides in the Rijksmuseum collection. Dijsselhof, born in 1866, operated within a Dutch art scene grappling with its identity amidst broader European movements. The sketch reveals an artist experimenting with form and abstraction, stepping away from traditional representation. The fragmented lines and geometric shapes hint at the influence of early modernism, a period where artists began questioning established academic conventions. Made in the Netherlands, this work exists within a culture proud of its artistic heritage, but looking to reinvent itself in a rapidly changing world. Understanding the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, including the role of art schools and museums, allows us to appreciate the radical nature of this departure. The historian's role is to investigate the institutions and artistic debates that shaped Dijsselhof's practice, consulting archival documents and period publications to better understand his contribution. In doing so, we recognize that the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.