Vrouw met een boerenmuts gezeten aan een tafel bij een raam 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth made this drawing of a woman in a cap, seated at a table by a window, in the late 19th or early 20th century. Veth was known for his portraits, often depicting figures from the Dutch intellectual and artistic circles. Here, rather than an elite member of society, the focus is on a woman who appears to be from a rural, working-class background, indicated by her traditional cap. There's an intimacy in this sketch. The woman is portrayed in a quiet, private moment by the window. Her downcast gaze suggests a sense of introspection or perhaps the weight of daily life. Veth’s choice to depict her with empathy, rather than idealizing her, reflects a broader interest in representing diverse identities and experiences in art. While the woman’s identity remains anonymous, Veth’s sketch invites us to consider her life, her history, and her place in a rapidly changing society.