Lezende jonge vrouw en oudere man 1892 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht made this etching of a reading young woman and older man sometime in the late nineteenth century. I love the intimacy that’s achieved here through a kind of shorthand, a simple drawing that still manages to convey so much tenderness. Look how Hubrecht uses these tiny, scratchy marks to build form and shadow. It’s almost like she’s sketching with light, letting the white of the paper peek through to create a sense of atmosphere. The lines that describe the woman’s dress are particularly beautiful, radiating downwards in a flurry of quick strokes. There's a real energy to the way she works. It’s like she’s trying to capture a fleeting moment, a quiet exchange between two people. This reminds me a little of Paula Modersohn-Becker’s early etchings, with their emphasis on simple forms and everyday subjects. But Hubrecht has her own unique voice. This etching is a reminder that art doesn’t always need to be big or flashy to be powerful. Sometimes, the smallest gestures can speak the loudest.