Vrouw met een hand boven haar ogen c. 1874

This is Cornelis Springer's drawing, "Vrouw met een hand boven haar ogen", housed at the Rijksmuseum. The artwork presents a study of a woman, rendered with delicate pencil strokes. Observe how Springer uses line and shading to construct form, particularly in the folds of her dress and the contour of her arm shielding her eyes. The composition, though simple, evokes a sense of introspection. Consider how the woman's posture, with her hand raised to her face, suggests a moment of contemplation or perhaps shielding from a strong light. Springer’s formal approach to line and shadow elevates this sketch beyond a mere study, inviting reflections on perception, gesture, and emotion. Notice how the absence of a detailed background concentrates our focus on the figure itself, emphasizing the play of light and shadow. This technique highlights the tension between revelation and concealment, characteristic of the artist's style.