Kopstudie, met gesloten ogen 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth created this head study with closed eyes using graphite. Veth was a man of the fin-de-siècle—a time of great cultural and intellectual change. He was not only an artist but also a poet, critic, and a committed socialist. This drawing offers an intimate portrayal of an unknown subject in a moment of repose, yet it exists within a broader cultural context. The late 19th century saw a growing interest in psychology and the inner lives of individuals. Artists and writers began to explore the complexities of human consciousness. Veth, with his socialist ideals, was deeply engaged with the lives of ordinary people. He sought to capture not just their likeness, but also their inner states, their dreams, and their struggles. What does it mean to represent someone in a state of quietude, their eyes closed to the world? Perhaps it's an invitation to reflect on our own interiority. It's a moment to consider the invisible threads that connect us to the past, to each other, and to the world around us.