Gezicht op een stad aan de voet van een berg c. 1871 - 1878

Maria Vos made this pencil drawing of a town at the foot of a mountain. Vos lived at a time when women artists often focused on domestic scenes or portraits. This landscape, however, suggests a broader interest in the world beyond the home. The sketch gives us a glimpse into 19th-century Europe, capturing the charm of a small town nestled against a mountain. Vos's choice of subject matter invites us to consider her place as a woman artist venturing into spaces and subjects that were not traditionally hers. While the drawing shows a picturesque scene, it also hints at the industrial changes happening in Europe at the time. The simple, untouched depiction of the town evokes a sense of nostalgia. It encourages us to appreciate the beauty of these places while acknowledging the social and environmental changes happening around them.