Zuilengalerij 1865 - 1913

This sketch of a colonnade was made by Bramine Hubrecht, using graphite on paper. In terms of materiality, it’s a pretty straightforward affair; graphite is essentially powdered carbon mixed with clay, and of course, paper is processed plant fiber. But actually, this simplicity gives us a lot to think about. Hubrecht was active in the Dutch women’s movement, and advocated for women to be trained for professional work. The choice of such a modest medium might well be read as a statement. Think about the sheer amount of labor, often invisible, that goes into producing even a simple sheet of paper. In Hubrecht’s time, women were often relegated to precisely this kind of labor, or were excluded from the art world altogether. So, by embracing the act of drawing, and doing so with such basic means, Hubrecht asserted her presence, challenging gendered norms and highlighting the value of everyday skills. She reminds us that art isn't just about grand gestures, but also about the quiet power of observation, and the act of committing ideas to paper.