Eerste beginselen der tekenkunst: hoofden, monden en ogen 1787 - 1833

This undated print, whose title translates as 'First Principles of Drawing: Heads, Mouths and Eyes,' offers a glimpse into the world of artistic training. Made by an anonymous artist, it presents a series of studies focused on the human face, meticulously broken down into its constituent parts. The image reveals the academic approach prevalent in art education. The use of guidelines and the systematic rendering of facial features underscore the importance of anatomical accuracy. This kind of print reflects the values of institutions like the academy which sought to standardize artistic practices. In the Dutch Republic, the art market was particularly competitive so this standardisation was one way to make a living from art. To understand this print fully, one could research manuals and treatises on drawing that were popular at the time, such as Karel van Mander's 'Het Schilder-Boeck.' Considering the image within the context of artistic training reveals how institutions and markets shape the production and reception of art.