Kop van een vrouw met een hoed 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this drawing of a woman's head with a hat sometime in the early 20th century. Look at the way he's used a pencil to create light and shadow, a flurry of marks, almost like a quick thought jotted down. I wonder what Vreedenburgh was thinking as he sketched her. Did he know this woman? Was she someone he passed on the street, her hat catching his eye? I think the beauty of a sketch like this is in its simplicity. It reminds me of other artists who capture everyday moments, like Fairfield Porter. It’s like Vreedenburgh is saying, “Here, look at this. Isn’t this interesting?” Ultimately, artists are always looking, always responding to what they see. And in this humble drawing, Vreedenburgh invites us to look with him. It's a reminder that art doesn't always have to be grand; sometimes, it can be a quiet, thoughtful observation.