Studie c. 1876 - 1879

This is a study by Anton Mauve, made with black chalk, part of the collection of the Rijksmuseum. Studies such as these were a crucial part of the artistic process in the 19th century. They helped artists develop their observational skills and translate the external world onto canvas. Mauve was Dutch, and he worked during a time of growing industrialization across Europe. Dutch artists like Mauve began to turn away from the city and find inspiration in rural landscapes. This contrasted with the industrial progress and echoed a conservative yearning for an older, simpler, and more authentic way of life. The artistic institutions of the time, such as the Royal Academy, encouraged conservative art. As art historians, we must recognize the complicated social forces behind art like this. To understand Mauve’s art fully, we can research the institutions of art and the social conditions that shaped artistic production in the Netherlands. Through such investigation, we can understand art's role in shaping social and cultural life.