Jonge vrouw met waaier 1778 - 1838

Anthonie van den Bos made this drawing of a young woman with a fan with pen in brown ink and brush in brown and gray ink during the late 18th or early 19th century. The layered application of brown and grey ink in the work is particularly striking. The artist has used the brush to delicately shade the woman's features, imbuing the image with a sense of depth and volume. The use of the pen creates texture and the soft tonal variations are a testament to the artist's mastery of the technique. The choice of humble materials connects this drawing to the broader culture of artisanal production. The artwork demonstrates the rich potential of these so-called everyday materials. It invites us to consider the value and cultural significance of drawing within artistic hierarchies. In this way, Van den Bos subtly challenges the prevailing norms of the art world, inviting us to appreciate the beauty and skill inherent in more modest forms of making.