Dorpsgezicht Possibly 1908

Alexander Shilling made this pencil drawing titled 'Village View' sometime between 1859 and 1937. It depicts a church spire rising above a village, likely in the Netherlands given its title. The image creates meaning through its composition; the spire dominates the composition, its verticality contrasting with the horizontal lines of the buildings and trees. The sketch emphasizes the cultural role of the church in village life. Shilling made this sketch either as an exercise or as a reference for future works. Looking more closely at the institutional history of art, we might ask questions about the role of institutions like art academies in shaping the artist's style, or the market forces that determined what kinds of images were most valued by collectors. Art historians look at such sources as letters, diaries, and financial records to better understand art's history. Through an examination of historical context we can better appreciate the contingent meanings of an artwork like this one.