Interieur met een familie rond een haard 1849 - 1892

Matthijs Maris made this watercolor called "Interior with a Family around a Hearth" sometime in the mid-19th century. It shows a humble domestic scene, a family gathered around a fire. But why would an artist choose such a mundane subject? Maris was Dutch, and it is likely the work represents a Dutch family. At this time, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid industrialization and urbanization. Artists like Maris turned to scenes of rural life, perhaps idealizing a simpler past. The art market was also changing, with more middle-class patrons interested in genre scenes that reflected their own values. The work’s apparent realism invites us to consider its place in social history. The Rijksmuseum, where this work is held, has a rich archive that we can consult to find out how it was displayed and received in its time. By looking into the social and institutional contexts, we can better understand the values and anxieties of the time.