Huis tussen de bomen 1888 - 1889

Editor: This is Alexander Shilling's "Huis tussen de bomen," a pencil drawing from 1888-1889. It's delicate, almost like a fleeting thought captured on paper. It reminds me of early Impressionist sketches, but I am interested in knowing your take on this piece. What strikes you most about it? Curator: It's fascinating how this seemingly simple sketch offers a glimpse into the artistic and social landscape of its time. Shilling's impressionistic approach situates him within a broader movement, questioning traditional academic art values and reflecting the rise of individual experience. Note how the 'house among the trees' becomes a metaphor for domesticity nestled within the ever-changing landscape – consider how it reflects anxieties and aspirations around urbanization and the ideal of a harmonious existence in a rapidly changing society. Do you notice how he seems to capture the air itself with his delicate strokes? Editor: Absolutely! I see that now - it's almost like he's not just drawing the house, but also the feeling of being *there*, embedded in that time, between those trees. The way he suggests the leaves with those quick marks really brings that feeling alive. Curator: Precisely. Also, the act of sketching *en plein air*, evident in this piece, democratized art-making, challenging the dominance of the formal studio. This shift resonates with the social reforms and a growing emphasis on everyday life in the late 19th century. Who got to make art, and where? Those are pertinent questions that the Impressionists and other similar artistic circles made sure to ask. Editor: So, it’s not just about the picture itself, but also about what that *type* of picture represented, socially? It's empowering to look at art in such a socially relevant fashion. Curator: Exactly! It really opens up ways of critically engaging art in its contexts. The value of the piece is amplified. Editor: This has changed my perspective – I see now it’s not just an individual impression but also speaks about the social shifts occurring in that time! Curator: I agree. These dialogues help reveal deeper insights when art is viewed through multiple lenses.