Twee honden 1851

Jan Karel Jacob de Jonge created this drawing, ‘Two Dogs’, using pen and brush in the mid-19th century. He made this work while he was part of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who were painting in a new style. These artists worked in a period when Europe was being transformed by modernization, industrialization, and urbanization. They were united by their wish to paint ordinary life and landscapes. The image creates meaning through its unidealized representation of the natural world. During this time, many artists rejected the rigid academic conventions and social norms and embraced the artistic freedom to paint outdoors, 'en plein air,' focusing on the daily lives of ordinary people. Although we can appreciate the aesthetics and artistry on display here, deeper understanding comes when we use historical sources and contextual information. By investigating the culture, institutions, and socio-economic conditions in which artists like De Jonge lived, we discover the public role of art.