Studieblad met karren en figuren te Middelburg c. 1856 - 1861

Cornelis Springer made this pencil drawing, Study Sheet with Carts and Figures in Middelburg, in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-19th century. Springer was a Dutch Golden Age revivalist, famous for his cityscapes. But here we see a more intimate side of the artist, a sketch of working life. This study gives us insight into Dutch society and the economics of the time, with its agrarian scenes and figures at leisure. Springer's detailed rendering of the carts invites reflection on the significance of manual labor and its relation to social class. Middelburg, as a port city, was a hub of trade and transport, and sketches like this, while seemingly simple, offer a glimpse into the daily lives of its inhabitants. By consulting historical records and accounts, we can better understand the relationship between art and society, recognizing that the meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.