Stilleven met kruik en ui 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this still life with a jug and onion with pencil on paper, as part of the Dutch modernist movement in the early 20th century. De Graag, a Jewish woman, navigated a male-dominated art world, where still life was often seen as a 'feminine' genre. The image carries the quiet weight of domesticity and tradition. De Graag's choice of everyday objects—a simple jug and an onion—invites us to consider the value of the mundane, particularly through a woman's eyes. The soft gradations of pencil on paper create a tender, intimate atmosphere. These simple forms speak to the silent, often unseen labor of women in the home. While the still life genre often reinforces traditional roles, De Graag subtly challenges them. She offers a glimpse into the interior lives of women, their quiet observations and personal experiences. This piece celebrates the beauty and significance found in the everyday.