Figuurstudies 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this study of figures with pen and ink on paper. The figures, seemingly at rest, offer a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people in the Netherlands during the early 20th century. Vreedenburgh was a student at the Rijksakademie van Beeldende Kunsten in Amsterdam, an institution that played a key role in shaping Dutch art. The loose style suggests the artist was trying to capture candid, unposed moments, but we can still see the conventions of academic figure drawing here. These sketches invite us to reflect on how artistic training and social context intertwine. The study of social history, combined with insights from institutional archives, could reveal the power dynamics and cultural values that shaped Vreedenburgh’s vision. Through historical analysis we can better understand the role of art in shaping our perceptions.