Portret van een vrouw 1871 - 1906

Pieter de Josselin de Jong created this pencil drawing, "Portret van een vrouw," sometime around the turn of the 20th century. The subject's upward gaze and slightly parted lips suggest a yearning, as if the artist has captured a moment of private reflection. But such depictions of women are also deeply embedded in a social context. This was a time when ideas about women’s roles were rapidly changing, and images like these contributed to the ongoing negotiation of gender and identity. Produced in the Netherlands, the drawing reflects the country’s artistic and cultural climate, where artists often grappled with questions of national identity and modernity. De Jong's work can be seen in relation to the institutional framework of art academies and exhibition societies. These institutions played a significant role in shaping artistic careers and defining aesthetic standards. To fully understand this drawing, further research into the artist’s biography, the cultural history of the Netherlands, and the representation of women in art is essential. This way, art becomes a window into a specific time and place.