Figuur met opgeheven armen en een naakte vrouw c. 1916

Reijer Stolk made this drawing of a figure with raised arms and a naked woman in the Netherlands, sometime between 1896 and 1945. Its unfinished quality, like a fleeting thought captured on paper, hints at the artist's process. Stolk lived through both World Wars, a period of immense social upheaval, so it is reasonable to ask if such events have been reflected here. The raised arms could symbolize protest, surrender, or even religious ecstasy. The inclusion of a nude woman introduces themes of vulnerability and perhaps even defiance. To understand this drawing better, we might consult historical archives, personal letters, and other works by Stolk. By examining these kinds of resources, we can gain insight into the social and institutional contexts that shaped his artistic vision, allowing us to move closer to his work.