Landschap met water en een figuur in een roeiboot 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this pencil drawing, "Landschap met water en een figuur in een roeiboot", sometime in the late 19th century. Mauve was a leading figure in the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who reacted against the rigid academic style of the time. In this sketch, Mauve departs from tradition with a raw, impressionistic style that emphasized mood and atmosphere over meticulous detail. This approach mirrored broader cultural shifts in the Netherlands, as artists sought to capture the essence of everyday life and the natural world, rather than idealized historical or mythological scenes. Mauve's choice of subject is significant: the solitary figure in a rowboat suggests a connection to nature, as well as the growing importance of leisure and recreation in Dutch society. To truly appreciate Mauve’s contribution, one can consult the archives of the Hague School and study the influence of Impressionism on Dutch art. His sketch reflects the changing values of his time, anticipating the democratization of art.