Vrouw vegend met een bezem 1811 - 1873

Pieter van Loon created this drawing of a woman sweeping with a broom using graphite. The drawing employs a restricted tonal range, with subtle gradations to depict the woman's form and clothing, set against the paper's pale ground. The composition invites consideration of how the artist structures both space and narrative. The figure is positioned off-center. Her bowed posture, emphasizes the repetitive, almost cyclical nature of her task. The broom, rendered with particular attention to its bristled texture, extends into the pictorial space. The bare feet may act as a signifier, perhaps alluding to the woman's social standing, highlighting themes of labor and domesticity. The act of sweeping itself can be interpreted semiotically—a sign of cleanliness but also of the ceaseless efforts to maintain order. Consider how van Loon's formal choices—his use of line, tone, and composition—imbue this scene with quiet dignity. Art invites ongoing dialogue and reflection.