Afrikaanse vrouw die een schaal op het hoofd draagt c. 1916 - 1945

Editor: This is "Afrikaanse vrouw die een schaal op het hoofd draagt," or "African Woman Carrying a Bowl on Her Head," a pencil drawing from somewhere between 1916 and 1945. It's currently at the Rijksmuseum. It's very minimalist, almost just a series of lines sketching out the figure. What strikes me most is how the lines convey a sense of balance, even with so little detail. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It's fascinating how these few lines evoke so much, isn’t it? Consider the bowl, positioned as an extension of the figure. Bowls and vessels are archetypal symbols across cultures. They represent nourishment, sustenance, community—think of a communal cooking pot or the sharing of harvests. Editor: So, the woman isn’t just carrying a bowl, she’s carrying a symbol? Curator: Precisely. The woman almost disappears and the action is highlighted. The upward reach mirrors our spiritual and cultural aspirations. But also it suggests the physical realities of labor, a common theme when European artists portray other cultures. How might that context shift the meaning, in your view? Editor: That makes me wonder about the artist’s perspective – were they admiring or exoticizing? It's hard to tell from such a simple sketch. Curator: Exactly, the ambiguity forces us to question our own assumptions, which ultimately leads to a more productive encounter with cultural representation. I also noticed a sense of anonymity given the lack of facial detail, inviting multiple perspectives about its function and historical trajectory. Editor: It’s interesting how a simple drawing can hold so much symbolic weight and raise complex questions about cultural representation. Thanks! Curator: It certainly does, it's rewarding when a minimalist drawing urges you to reflect on enduring social beliefs. Thank you!