Landschap met bomen bij Hilversum 1878

Maria Vos made this pencil drawing, titled "Landschap met bomen bij Hilversum," in 1878. Vos was part of a generation of women artists who sought to represent the Dutch landscape in new ways. During this time, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid urbanization and industrialization, which led to a growing sense of nostalgia for the countryside. Artists like Vos played a role in constructing a national identity rooted in the beauty and tranquility of the natural world. It is interesting to note that the art world was also becoming more institutionalized, with museums and academies playing an increasingly important role in shaping artistic taste. Vos and her female contemporaries had to negotiate these institutions, which were often dominated by men. To fully appreciate this drawing, we might consider archival sources like exhibition catalogues, artists' letters, and institutional records. These resources can shed light on the social and cultural context in which Vos was working, and help us understand the role of art in shaping national identity.