Zittende oude vrouw met hoed, naar rechts 1865 - 1930

This sketch of an old woman wearing a hat was created by Jac van Looij, a Dutch painter and graphic artist who lived from 1855 to 1930. During Van Looij's time, the elderly, especially women, were often depicted as symbols of wisdom or reminders of mortality. But here, there is something immediate and intimate. The woman's age is etched in the lines of her face, yet there's a quiet strength in her profile. We see her in a moment of contemplation, perhaps a pause in her day, inviting us to reflect on the lives of women who often remain unseen in the grand narratives of history. Van Looij captures not just her physical likeness, but a sense of her inner life, suggesting that even in old age, there is a depth of experience and emotion to be acknowledged and valued.