Vrouw met een parasol in een lange jurk en mantel 1834 - 1903

This graphite drawing of a woman with a parasol in a long dress and coat was made by Johan Hendrik Weissenbruch. Here, Weissenbruch used the immediacy of graphite on paper to quickly capture a scene. Notice how the texture of the graphite varies, from light shading to dense, dark strokes, indicating a variety of tones with a limited pallete. The rapid execution suggests a snapshot of a fleeting moment, emphasizing the artist’s impression over detailed accuracy. The choice of graphite, a readily available and relatively inexpensive material, contrasts with the attire of the subject, who is undoubtedly a woman of means, sheltered from the sun. Weissenbruch, in choosing these simple materials, democratizes the act of art-making, documenting a study that might otherwise be reserved for the elite. Ultimately, this work reminds us that the value of art lies not only in the subject depicted but also in the choices made by the artist regarding materials, methods, and social context.