Figuren in een roeiboot c. 1841 - 1865

This pencil drawing of figures in a rowboat was made by Petrus Johannes Schotel, a Dutch artist active in the first half of the 19th century. It is a preliminary sketch, perhaps for a larger history painting, and it captures a specific social hierarchy through dress codes. The man in the top hat has a clear social status. The Netherlands at this time were still structured along traditional class lines, and these small genre scenes often reflect or subtly critique the power dynamics in society. We see this art as more than just a representation. It also is evidence of its culture and a comment on the social structures of its time. To understand this piece better, we can research the social conditions of 19th century Netherlands, studying the economic structures and political movements of the time. The archive is the art historian's best friend.