Stilleven met vaas 1867 - 1913

Marinus van der Maarel created this still life with vase using etching, a printmaking technique. Van der Maarel was active during a time of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, as industrialization and urbanization were reshaping Dutch society. The image shows a collection of objects placed on a tray. The vase appears to have a figure on it, but it’s hard to tell who it is because it is so stylistic and roughly sketched. The composition has a slightly melancholic mood, emphasizing the mundane realities of everyday life. Consider what it meant for an artist to choose such a subject during a time of rapid societal transformation. The still life can be seen as a reflection on Dutch identity and cultural values.