'Bij de wieg' 1897

Albert Neuhuys painted 'At the Cradle' in 1897 using oil on canvas. It depicts a domestic scene in which a mother sits next to her child's cradle, with a toddler standing close to her. This painting is a key example of Dutch genre painting. Neuhuys belonged to the Hague School, a group of artists reacting against the rigid academic style of the time. They sought to represent the lives of ordinary people, particularly those in rural communities. The scene invites the viewer into the intimate setting of a modest home, perhaps commenting on the value of simplicity and the dignity of labor. The subdued palette and attention to the play of light are reminiscent of the Old Masters, whom the Hague School artists admired. To understand it better, we can look at archival material, the artist’s letters, or exhibition reviews. Approaching art with social and historical sensitivity allows us to appreciate its engagement with cultural values.