Twee vrouwen naar elkaar gebarend 1836 - 1912

Isaac Weissenbruch made this drawing, 'Two Women Gesturing to Each Other', using pen and ink, a humble set of materials. It’s a quick, informal work, made for reproduction in a newspaper or magazine. The artist’s attention to detail in the women’s dresses makes the work. Consider the crisp lines defining the contours of their elaborate gowns, the meticulous rendering of the pleats and ruffles. These details speak to the larger industries of dressmaking and fashion – think of the many hands involved in sourcing, weaving, cutting and sewing involved in the production of these garments. The artist’s skillful handling of line transforms simple ink into a vision of wealth and status. The drawing documents a world of consumerism and display, but also alludes to the hidden labor that made it possible. By attending to these details, we can look beyond the surface appearance and understand the drawing as a reflection of its time.