Krabbels 1832 - 1897

Willem Roelofs made this sketch, called "Krabbels," or "scribbles," with graphite on paper. Roelofs was a Dutch artist living in a time when there was increasing interest in landscape, and an appreciation for working outside, en plein air. His work is part of a broad cultural movement interested in representing the world through direct observation. But he was also an influential figure in the art world as he served as the chair of the Pulchri Studio, an important Hague art society. This informal drawing gives us a sense of his method, a chance to see the artist’s first impressions. It provides a window into the artist's world, as the study likely depicts an outdoor scene. Roelofs' method of working is more immediate and less mediated than the traditional studio practices that had defined the art world until this point. Looking at these scribbles, historians can consult the archives of the Pulchri Studio to understand the network in which Roelofs worked and exhibited, to help us better understand the social conditions that made this drawing possible.