Aangemeerde boot aan een kade 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of a boat on a quay with pencil on paper. Although undated, Vreedenburgh was active in the first half of the 20th Century, a time when Dutch art grappled with its national identity amidst rapid modernization. This sketch, located at the Rijksmuseum, reflects a tension between tradition and progress. The artist captures a seemingly timeless scene of Dutch canals, yet the medium, a quick pencil sketch, suggests the fleeting pace of modern life. What was the public role of art at this time? Institutions such as the Rijksmuseum played a key role in shaping the narrative of Dutch art and society. The museum's presentation of works like this influenced how the Dutch saw themselves in relation to their history and in a rapidly changing world. To fully understand this drawing, consider the social and institutional contexts in which it was created and displayed. Researching exhibition histories, artists' networks, and critical responses of the time can reveal more about the meaning of art, and how art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.