Groep staande figuren in een landschap 1848 - 1888

Anton Mauve made this sketch of figures in a landscape with black chalk on paper. We see here a quick study of a group of figures gathered amongst sparse trees. Mauve, like many Dutch artists of the late 19th century, was part of a broader shift towards realism. This artistic movement coincided with significant social changes, including industrialization and urbanization, that prompted a renewed interest in depicting everyday life and the natural world. The Hague School, to which Mauve belonged, sought to represent the Dutch landscape and its inhabitants with a stark, unromanticized vision. This sketch, with its emphasis on capturing a fleeting moment, reflects the influence of Impressionism. Mauve belonged to the Pulchri Studio, an artistic society that played a central role in shaping the art scene of The Hague. By examining exhibition records, artist biographies, and contemporary social histories, we can gain a deeper understanding of the socio-cultural context in which this artwork was created. Art history reminds us that art is not made in a vacuum.