Plattelandswoning tussen de bomen 1854 - 1914

Albert Neuhuys made this sketch of a rural dwelling among trees with graphite on paper. Without a confirmed date, we can still consider Neuhuys' artistic approach, which often focused on the daily lives of rural workers in the Netherlands. This particular sketch gives us a glimpse into the artist’s process and perhaps his intention to portray the Dutch countryside and its inhabitants with dignity and respect. This ties into a broader art-historical context where artists in the 19th century were increasingly interested in representing ordinary people and their environments. To fully understand Neuhuys’ work, it’s helpful to look at other art from this period, consider the prevailing social attitudes towards rural life, and examine how institutions like art academies and museums shaped the production and reception of such images. The meaning of art, as we see, is dependent on its social and institutional context.