Riviergezicht in een stad bij nacht 1849 - 1883

Egide François Leemans created this print of a river view in a city at night. Its shadowy aesthetic is highly characteristic of the artistic production of the late 19th century. The Netherlands in the 1800s was a nation in transition. Its cities were becoming more urban and industrial and its art reflected these changes. Leemans depicts a nocturnal scene, capturing the atmosphere of a port city after dark. The composition, with its emphasis on atmosphere and light, invites us to consider the aesthetic values of the time. One might consider the influence of the Hague School, a group of Dutch artists who emphasized realism and the depiction of everyday life. To fully understand this print, we can consult historical records, exhibition catalogues, and critical reviews from the period. Through this investigation, we come to see how artworks are embedded in specific social and institutional contexts.