Schets van huizen 1886

Jan Hanau made this pencil drawing, called "Sketch of Houses," sometime between the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Hanau was a Dutch artist, and this work can be seen as part of a broader European interest in landscape and the everyday. What does it mean to sketch houses? The sketch suggests the preliminary stage of a painting, but also an interest in architectural forms. The vagueness of the lines creates a feeling of distance. It reminds us of the rapid urbanization of the Netherlands, and that the Dutch countryside was slowly fading away. At the time, various local and national organizations were dedicated to the preservation of nature, and these organizations valued landscape painting that showed the beauty of Dutch nature. By studying Hanau’s work in the context of Dutch history, we can learn how art reflected and shaped cultural values. Through careful attention to the social conditions of art, we come to understand its meaning and lasting importance.