Meisje in een mantel met kap 1865 - 1913

This is a pencil drawing by Bramine Hubrecht, titled ‘Meisje in een mantel met kap’, or Girl in a cloak with a hood, from around the late 19th century. The motif of a hooded figure has permeated art for centuries, often signifying modesty, protection, or concealment. We can look back to medieval depictions of the Virgin Mary cloaked in a mantle, symbolizing purity and refuge. But consider how this protective covering appears in darker contexts, like Francisco Goya's 'The Madhouse' where figures huddle in shadows, wrapped in cloth, alluding to isolation and mental anguish. The simple hood has now become a signifier of vulnerability. Hubrecht's sketch captures a similar duality. The girl's face is visible, yet the hood obscures, creating a sense of withdrawal. It evokes a primal sense of security, reminding us of the subconscious need to retreat, to find solace under a veil of anonymity. The hood is a powerful symbol, continually re-emerging, reminding us of the cyclical nature of human emotions.