Studies 1834 - 1906

These Studies are by Maria Vos, a Dutch artist born in 1824. Vos lived in a time when women's artistic expression was often confined to domestic scenes, and working with quiet pencil strokes such as we see here was considered an appropriate medium for women artists. These sketches, though unsigned and undated, offer us a glimpse into Vos's artistic process, revealing a sensitivity to the natural world. Working in the tradition of landscape studies, Vos captures the essence of trees and foliage, the lightness of the marks conveying the ephemeral quality of light and shadow. They don’t shout, but whisper. There is a certain intimacy in these studies, as if Vos sought to connect with nature on a personal level. In doing so, she subtly challenges the traditional view of women's art as merely decorative, infusing her work with a quiet but confident spirit. The unpolished nature of these studies allows us to feel a sense of connection to the past.