Gefantaseerde vis die oprijst uit het water c. 1894

Julie de Graag made this drawing of a fantasized fish rising from the water with graphite on paper. The dominant visual experience is one of fluid transformation, as the aquatic creature emerges with surreal grace. De Graag masterfully employs line and form, as well as curvilinear elements. The fish's elongated body, drawn with a continuous, unbroken line, is central to the composition. This deliberate choice emphasizes movement, giving the fish the appearance of effortlessly ascending from the depths. De Graag destabilizes the boundary between the real and the imaginary, challenging the traditional, fixed categories of representation. Ultimately, this element of rising is not only aesthetically pleasing but also functions as part of a larger discourse on transformation and the fluidity of identity.