Staande dame met hoed en mantel c. 1871 - 1906

Curator: Pieter de Josselin de Jong created this work, titled "Standing Lady with Hat and Coat," sometime between 1871 and 1906. It's currently held at the Rijksmuseum. Editor: It's understated, almost melancholic. The muted tones of the pencil on paper emphasize a sense of quiet introspection, a sort of private world. Curator: This drawing offers an interesting glimpse into late 19th-century portraiture and the social context surrounding it. Think about the role of these commissioned drawings in conveying status and representing the sitter's social position within Dutch society. Were they affordable materials offering social mobility? Editor: And look closely at how De Josselin de Jong utilizes pencil – the precise hatching to create volume, the economy of line. He really coaxes so much from what appears to be a relatively simple medium. What kind of paper was generally available? Would have choices in the surface qualities been a factor, especially for a commission? Curator: He also captures a very specific moment in the history of fashion. The hat, the long coat – what do these elements signify about the sitter’s identity, her class, her possible aspirations? Does this reflect realism, the current artistic approach, or an embellished view from her commissioner? Editor: The way the coat hangs, its form implied rather than painstakingly detailed… that feels quite modern. How readily would consumers have engaged with images of themselves created in this way, what did that encounter with the art-making process entail? Curator: Exactly, these details invite speculation on the cultural currency that portraiture held during this period. They underscore its purpose, reflecting personal and societal identity. What could the role of such commissions have played on artists trying to advance their social mobility? Editor: It's amazing how much social history and commentary can be contained in such a seemingly simple sketch. To see, rendered with this accessible method, a tangible sense of a life. Curator: Indeed. Thinking through its original context has certainly given me new appreciation for this drawing. Editor: Agreed, analyzing the relationship between materials and artistic vision deepens the experience.