Meisje in een weide met bomen 1854 - 1914

Albert Neuhuys made this sketch, "Girl in a Meadow with Trees," using graphite on paper. Neuhuys lived through a time of significant social change, marked by the rise of industrialization. This drawing captures a moment of quiet solitude of a girl amidst nature. We see her from behind, a small figure in what appears to be a large coat, set against a backdrop of trees and open fields. The choice of perspective invites us to consider themes of childhood, gender and identity within rural life. Neuhuys was part of the Laren School, focusing on depicting rural life in the Netherlands. These artists often romanticized peasant life. This work then offers a glimpse into how traditional gender roles were viewed in the countryside, where girls might have had different experiences and expectations than their urban counterparts. The sketch is quiet, almost melancholic, inviting reflection on the simple yet profound aspects of rural existence.