Schets van een vrouw, met een doek over het hoofd 1824 - 1894

This is Charles Rochussen's pencil sketch of a woman with a cloth over her head. Rochussen, who lived from 1814 to 1894, situated himself as a genre painter and printmaker; capturing scenes of everyday life. This drawing invites us to consider the representation of women in 19th-century art. In its historical context, the depiction of a woman with her head covered prompts questions about identity, modesty, and cultural norms. Does the covering signify religious affiliation, social status, or something else entirely? How might the woman have felt being sketched? Rochussen invites us to reflect on the complex interplay between the artist's perspective, the subject's identity, and the cultural values embedded in the image. The sketch reminds us to consider the diverse experiences and representation of women throughout art history.