Pygmalion en Galatea c. 1854 - 1887

Alexander Ver Huell created this drawing titled ‘Pygmalion en Galatea’ with pen in the Netherlands. The myth of Pygmalion and Galatea explores ideas about artistic creation, the power of beauty, and the relationship between creator and creation. Ver Huell was a 19th century artist in the Netherlands, so we must view this image through that cultural lens. The Netherlands was dealing with the rise of industrialization, urbanization, and shifts in social structures. Art institutions like museums and academies played a role in shaping artistic tastes and values of the rising middle class. In this drawing, Pygmalion seems to be antagonizing the sculpture, perhaps even about to destroy it. Is Ver Huell critiquing the myth itself? Is he making a statement about the artist's role in society? Art historical research can help us understand the meaning of this image within its original context. By looking at exhibition records, critical reviews, and the artist's other works, we can gain insight into its significance and the artistic debates of the time.