Vrouw zittend achter een schildersezel c. 1894

Curator: This is Julie de Graag’s pencil drawing, "Vrouw zittend achter een schildersezel," dating from around 1894, here at the Rijksmuseum. What's your initial reaction? Editor: It has a quiet intimacy. The very spareness of the pencil on paper suggests the ephemeral, like a thought barely captured. The woman almost blends into the page, doesn’t she? Curator: Yes, there’s an almost unassuming quality. De Graag’s social context as a woman artist certainly played a role here. It suggests a glimpse into the private artistic sphere. Editor: Absolutely, the labor and the production are all in view here. The simplicity of materials emphasizes process. This is an artist reflecting upon the artistic labour in her own social environment. It is like seeing her thoughts at work through her means and material. Curator: Indeed. Considering this drawing was created in the late 19th century, the quick and seemingly unfinished lines reflect the influence of impressionism on even more personal, informal sketches like these. Editor: The figure's pose, slightly hunched over the easel, communicates dedication, a subtle assertion of female labor and skill. The marks on the side from the sketchbook add to this. Curator: We have to remember that at this period there were struggles around the role of woman artists; some argued they couldn't handle the pressures and demands. I think her being absorbed in art-making is really captured. Editor: The absence of colour forces us to focus on form, on the skill required to create depth and shadow with so little. It reveals her hand, both figuratively and literally. This work also transcends high art boundaries, sharing in the labour experience that unites all material workers. Curator: That’s insightful. The sketch challenges assumptions about finished "high" art versus preliminary work. Thanks to de Graag, we have insight to the society within and how women were coming into artistic recognition. Editor: It all invites reflection on the silent industry behind even the most seemingly effortless artworks. I feel as though I am looking over her shoulder as she develops an idea!