Curatorial notes
Lau Heidendael made this etching titled 'Cherche muse' – in English, 'looking for a muse' – at an unknown date. The rural scene, somewhere in the Netherlands, focuses on a seemingly unremarkable landscape, perhaps on the edge of a town. The image is reminiscent of the Hague School, which, in the late 19th century, presented a down-to-earth, specifically Dutch, alternative to the academic and international styles that had previously dominated art institutions. Later artists sought alternatives to the established order. The work of art asks the question: where does one find the source of art? In classical times it was thought to be found in mythology. Later in history, the artist himself or herself was seen as a genius. In our times, it is for the historian to find the conditions under which art is made and displayed. Research into artists' groups, exhibition histories, and critical debates can help us better understand how art and society are intertwined.
