Voorsteven van een bomschuit 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this pencil drawing called "Bow of a 'Bomschuit'" sometime during his career in the Netherlands. Bomschuiten were flat-bottomed boats used for fishing off the coast near Scheveningen. Mauve was associated with the Hague School, a group of Dutch realist painters who depicted rural scenes and landscapes. Their work often reflected the difficult social and economic conditions of the time, particularly the lives of working-class people in the Netherlands. The bomschuit itself is thus a symbol of Dutch industry and the fisherman's hard work, but also perhaps the constant struggle against the sea. The sketch-like quality of this work leaves it open to interpretation and creates a sense of authenticity. As historians, we can research the social history of fishing in the Netherlands, looking into the economic conditions and labor practices of the time, to understand the broader context in which this image was made. By understanding the context, we can consider how artistic institutions shape the creation and reception of art.