De Schreierstoren aan de Buitenkant te Amsterdam c. 1876

Jacob Maris painted this view of the Schreierstoren in Amsterdam using oil on canvas. Painted in the 19th century, we can see how the Netherlands was dealing with its past while looking to its future. The image shows the medieval tower from across the water, a potent symbol of Amsterdam's long history as a port city. During this time, Amsterdam was in a period of rapid industrialization and urbanization, which brought significant social and economic changes, and these transformations undoubtedly influenced Maris and other artists. Maris belonged to the Hague School, a group of Dutch realist painters. Their work often depicted the everyday life of the Netherlands. To more fully understand the art of this period, we can study museum records and historical society documents. These help us see the social conditions that shaped artistic production. Ultimately, the meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.