Bloem, mogelijk een waterlelie c. 1894

Julie de Graag rendered this tentative pencil drawing of a flower, possibly a water lily. De Graag worked during a period of significant transformation in the Netherlands, with growing industrialization and shifting social structures impacting artistic expression. As a woman artist working in the early 20th century, de Graag navigated a male-dominated art world, with access to training, exhibitions, and patronage often limited. Within this historical context, botanical drawings made by women were seen as an acceptable artistic pursuit. De Graag's choice to depict a water lily, a flower often associated with purity and beauty, can be seen as both conforming to and subverting traditional expectations. Water lilies were a source of inspiration for Impressionist painters such as Claude Monet and the theme allowed de Graag to explore form, light, and shadow, imbuing it with a sense of quiet contemplation. Her delicate lines and soft shading suggest an intimate engagement with the natural world. This personal connection invites viewers to reflect on the artist's own experiences.