Landschap in Kralingen bij de Strekkade 1864 - 1880

Johannes Tavenraat made this watercolour sketch of Kralingen by the Strekkade. This image fits into the context of 19th-century Dutch landscape painting, where artists sought to capture the nation's distinctive scenery. But this image also gives us an insight into how the Netherlands were changing. The sketch shows a semi-rural scene, but the presence of the Strekkade hints at the growing importance of Rotterdam as a port city. The rise of industrial capitalism transformed not only the economy but also the Dutch landscape. To truly understand this work, we need to look at maps, demographic records, and other historical documents that illuminate how the Netherlands were transformed during Tavenraat's lifetime. Approaching the study of art this way can teach us a lot about the social conditions that shaped the production of art.