Considering art. The role of De Brug, the ASB and the Socialistische Kunstenaarskring in the production, distribution and reception of notions on art and the position of the artist.

Abstract

Artists' societies appear to have played an important role in the art world of the last decades of the nineteenth century and the first half of the twentieth century. Nevertheless, relatively little attention is devoted to the subject of artists' societies in the existing art historical literature. In order to contribute to the understanding of the significance of these organizations, this thesis will consider the role of De Brug, the ASB and the Socialistische Kunstenaarskring, three Dutch artists' societies that existed during the Interwar period, in the production, distribution and reception of notions on art and the position of the artist. It will turn out that these artists' societies actively influenced these processes, and consequently, helped shaping the contemporary artistic climate.