Staande vrouw met mand, op de rug gezien 1811 - 1873

Here we see a pencil drawing by Pieter van Loon, titled 'Standing Woman with Basket, Seen from the Back'. The composition centres on a solitary figure, depicted from behind. Van Loon’s strategic use of line and shadow models her clothing and the basket, creating a gentle interplay of light and form. Notice how the folds of her dress and the texture of the basket are rendered through subtle variations in pencil pressure. This close attention to materiality provides depth and volume within the drawing's limited tonal range. The woman’s posture and the angle of her head suggest movement, implying a narrative that invites speculation about her destination and purpose. The semiotic elements in the artwork, such as the woman's traditional attire, engage with cultural codes reflective of the period. The drawing thus presents a quiet meditation on form, texture, and cultural identity, inviting viewers to find their own meaning within its simple, elegant structure.