Liggend stel op een duin c. 1928 - 1930

Otto Verhagen made this sketch of a reclining couple on a dune using graphite and crayon. This work invites us to consider the shifting representations of intimacy and leisure in the early 20th century. With quick, suggestive strokes, Verhagen captures a sense of ease and informality. The woman’s body, lightly rendered, suggests a departure from more rigid, classical nudes. Consider what it meant to depict such a scene, particularly the woman’s posture, during a time of evolving social norms. The dune setting adds another layer of meaning; the beach as a space for recreation becomes increasingly popular, reflecting changing attitudes towards nature and the body. The sketch, with its delicate lines, evokes a quiet, personal moment, yet it also hints at broader societal shifts toward more liberated expressions of identity. The artwork reflects the changing landscape of personal freedoms and social interactions, inviting a contemplation of intimacy.