Figuur op een straat 1890 - 1946

Cornelis Vreedenburgh made this sketch, titled 'Figure on a Street', using graphite. Vreedenburgh lived through both World Wars, and this piece resonates with the quiet introspection that characterized much of the art produced during times of conflict. The lone figure, rendered with stark simplicity, stands amidst a cityscape that feels both familiar and distant. The sketch invites us to consider themes of isolation and resilience. Vreedenburgh reduces the figure to their most basic form, and encourages us to contemplate the individual's place within the larger, often impersonal, structures of society. Is the figure lost, or simply pausing for a moment of reflection? How does the weight of history bear down on an individual? Ultimately, Vreedenburgh's sketch serves as a poignant reminder of our shared humanity and the importance of empathy in an ever-changing world.