Meisjeskopje, neerziend naar rechts 1861 - 1918

Thérèse Schwartze created this artwork, titled 'Meisjeskopje, neerziend naar rechts', at an unknown date, using graphite and black chalk. Notice how Schwartze masterfully uses the medium to draw our attention. The young girl's face is rendered with delicate strokes, capturing a soft, introspective mood. The composition emphasizes the interplay between light and shadow, creating depth and volume. The girl's downward gaze evokes a sense of vulnerability. The stark contrast between the detailed facial features and the sketchier treatment of the hair and background destabilizes any fixed interpretation. The image challenges traditional portraiture by focusing on the sitter's psychological state rather than mere physical representation. Schwartze prompts us to question the boundaries between visibility and invisibility, presence and absence. The seemingly unfinished quality of the drawing invites us to reflect on the transient nature of perception and the instability of meaning, which resonates deeply within the cultural discourse of her time.