Landweg te Deurne 1897

Willem Cornelis Rip made this sketch, Landweg te Deurne, with pen and ink, likely en plein air. As you can see, the artist takes as his subject the rural landscape, which became an important symbol of national identity in the Netherlands during the late 19th century. Rip's landscapes participate in a broader cultural movement that saw artists turning away from academic styles and urban subjects to focus on the countryside. The focus on natural scenery allowed artists to explore themes of national identity and the relationship between people and their environment. The art institutions of the time played a significant role in promoting this style. To understand this drawing better, one could research the cultural and political contexts in which it was made, examining exhibition records, artists' correspondence, and the writings of art critics to illuminate the social conditions that shaped this production.