Staande vrouw in een lang gewaad, het hoofd naar rechts gebogen 1849 - 1917

Matthijs Maris made this sketch of a standing woman, head tilted to the right, in pencil on paper. The ethereal sketch seems to capture the essence of a woman in a long robe, made in the Netherlands. It's an interesting example of artistic exploration during a time of significant social change. The late 19th century was a period of industrialization and urbanization, which impacted the art world too. Artists were looking for new ways to express themselves and engage with the changing world. Maris was part of a generation of artists who challenged academic traditions, instead focusing on capturing fleeting moments and impressions. The way the artist used a pencil to create the image is interesting. It conveys emotion and feeling. To fully understand this work, we might look at the cultural history of the Netherlands, the art market at the time, and exhibition reviews. This sketch reminds us that art is not made in a vacuum. It is made in a specific cultural and institutional context.