Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1893 - 1939

Arnold van Roessel created this drawing, titled "Portret van een onbekende vrouw" or "Portrait of an unknown woman," using pencil on paper. Roessel, who lived through both World Wars, was deeply affected by the societal shifts of his time. This portrait is not just an image; it's a cultural artifact reflecting the values and social structures of early 20th-century Dutch society. The woman’s traditional cap and stern expression speak to a life marked by the constraints and expectations placed on women of her era. Consider how her anonymity invites us to project our own understandings of womanhood onto her. Does she represent resilience, repression, or something in between? This work challenges us to reflect on the historical and personal narratives embedded in the simple act of portraiture.