Vrouw, ten halven lijve 1854 - 1914

Albert Neuhuys sketched this drawing of a woman in pencil. Her head is bowed, a universal gesture of submission or mourning. The image reminds me of countless depictions of Mary Magdalene at the foot of the cross. Her bowed head, heavy with grief and humility, echoes across centuries of art. In earlier medieval art, this posture can also be seen in depictions of penitent sinners seeking forgiveness, thus the motif links to a deeper, almost subconscious understanding of sorrow and reverence. This posture is not merely a physical stance; it's a powerful symbol passed down through generations, evolving to express a range of intense emotions, engaging viewers on a profound, subconscious level.