Karikatuur van een staande vrouw 1811 - 1873

Here we have "Caricature of a Standing Woman," a pencil drawing by Pieter van Loon, who lived and worked in the Netherlands during the 19th century. In this sketch, van Loon exaggerates the woman’s features, particularly her head and hairstyle, which swells grandly above her petite frame. The caricature emerges from a society rigidly defined by gender roles, and where women were often subject to intense public scrutiny of their appearance and behavior. Is this an attempt at humor, or does it reflect a deeper critique of societal expectations placed upon women? The delicate lines of the drawing contrast with the boldness of the caricature. The image evokes questions about how women were perceived and represented in Dutch society during this time. It invites us to consider the emotional and psychological impact of such representations, as well as their role in shaping social norms and individual identities.