Figuren in Zeeuwse klederdracht op de Markt te Middelburg 1933 - 1937

This pencil sketch on paper by Otto Verhagen depicts figures in traditional Zeeland attire at the Middelburg market in July 1933. The sketch provides a glimpse into a specific regional culture during a time of significant social and political change in Europe. Verhagen's choice to depict figures in traditional clothing raises questions about the role of regional identity amidst national and international movements. Was it conservative? An assertion of cultural pride in the face of modernization? Historical archives, local newspapers, and sociological studies from the period may reveal how traditional Zeeland dress was perceived and worn at the time. They would also explain whether it was a conscious symbol of cultural identity, and if it was encouraged or discouraged by local institutions. By examining the art within its complex web of historical context, we can understand how it reflects and shapes the cultural landscape of its time.