Vrouw in japon 1710 - 1772

This is Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot’s drawing of a “Vrouw in japon”. Van Reysschoot lived in the 18th century, a time of aristocratic dominance, and increasing social stratification. The drawing presents a woman in a gown. What stories might this image suggest about the sitter's class, gender, and position in society? The woman's dress and bearing speak to the regulations and expectations of women in this era, confined to a specific standard of beauty. The light strokes and use of red chalk to create this portrait convey a sense of movement, in contrast to what was expected of noblewomen at the time. Rather than reinforcing established societal positions, the artist seems to have tried to capture a more intimate and personal representation of the sitter. We are left to wonder about this woman's identity and how she felt in this cultural and historical moment.