Studieblad met vrouwen in Scheveningse klederdracht 1881 - 1927

Johan Antonie de Jonge made this drawing of women in Scheveningen costume with pencil on paper. You can see how the artist has layered multiple studies, each one seemingly trying to refine the last. It feels like a dance between observation and invention. Like he is talking to himself on the page. I imagine de Jonge deeply invested in capturing not just their likeness, but the very essence of their presence. You can imagine him captivated by the way the fabric drapes and folds, and the subtle nuances of light and shadow on their faces. I think of other artists, like Käthe Kollwitz, wrestling with similar concerns of portraying working women. There is a kind of artistic solidarity across time. Each artist is not just depicting a subject but also sharing their insights and asking questions about what it means to see and represent the world around us.