Spreekwoord: de poppen aan het dansen hebben

About this artwork

collector's mark: Lugt 2760

Art Historical Context

This delicate work on paper by Johannes Henderikus Morriën, created between 1865 and circa 1866, brings to life the Dutch proverb “de poppen aan het dansen hebben.” Literally meaning “to have the dolls dancing,” the phrase describes someone who pulls the strings behind the scenes, orchestrating events or maintaining control. Morriën’s choice of subject places the drawing within a long Dutch tradition of proverb imagery, where everyday scenes carry moral or social lessons for the viewer. Measuring 258 by 352 millimeters, the sheet’s modest scale suggests an intimate study or preparatory drawing rather than a large finished painting. Executed on paper, it likely employs line and wash techniques common in the mid-nineteenth century, allowing the artist to capture lively movement and narrative detail with economical means. The collector’s mark Lugt 2760 further hints at the work’s journey through distinguished hands, reflecting ongoing interest in Dutch proverbial art among later connoisseurs. Together, title, date, and medium invite us to appreciate how Morriën refreshed a centuries-old visual language for his own time, turning a familiar saying into a charming yet pointed observation of human behavior.