Twee studies van een vrouw met een hand voor haar mond 1881 - 1883

George Hendrik Breitner made this sketch, "Two Studies of a Woman with a Hand to Her Mouth", with graphite. Breitner was known for his realist approach, capturing the daily life of Amsterdam, often focusing on the working class. Here, the woman covering her mouth might suggest various emotional states – suppression, thoughtfulness, or even illness. In the late 19th century, as the roles of women in society were being negotiated and challenged, Breitner's work subtly hints at these tensions. The act of concealing the mouth, a source of speech, can be seen as a symbolic gesture, reflecting the constraints placed on women's voices. Breitner’s sketches, raw and immediate, invite us to consider the silent narratives of women in urban life. What do you see in her expression?