Schets van vissen 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this sketch of fish using graphite. Born in the Netherlands in 1866, Dijsselhof’s career coincided with debates about the purpose of art and its relationship to society. Some people believed that art should be beautiful above all else, while others felt that it should serve a social or political function. In the Netherlands during the late 19th century, there was a strong movement towards art that could improve the quality of everyday life. This sketch might have been a preparatory study for a larger, more decorative work. The Arts and Crafts movement in Europe sought to dissolve the hierarchy between art and craft. The study of nature, and fish in particular, was very popular during this period. Art historians examine the influence of such movements on the production and reception of art by analyzing archival material such as letters and exhibition reviews. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.