Kop van een man met gesloten ogen c. 1894

Julie de Graag drew "Head of a Man with Closed Eyes" with pen in the early 20th century. De Graag was working in the Netherlands during a time of great social change, including shifting ideas about gender roles and women's rights, a context that certainly shaped her artistic perspective. The sketch is simple and raw; the man's face is serene, perhaps lost in thought or dreaming. The use of closed eyes is interesting, as it removes the possibility of direct engagement, inviting introspection. The lines around the head suggest a kind of chaotic energy, contrasting with the calm of the face. As a woman artist, De Graag had to navigate a traditionally male-dominated art world. Her choice to depict a male subject in such an intimate, vulnerable state might be a subtle commentary on the conventional, often heroic, portrayals of men in art. The sketch evokes empathy, blurring the lines of traditional representation. The artwork encourages us to reflect on the quiet moments of human experience and the subtle ways artists challenge societal norms.