Hoofd van een vrouw met bril 1887

This is Frans de Vadder's etching, "Head of a Woman with Glasses," made in 1887. De Vadder created this intimate, small portrait during a time of significant social change and rising interest in realism. The woman's identity is unknown, yet her attire—specifically the head covering—speaks volumes about her social standing and cultural background, likely signaling a modest, perhaps rural, existence. The glasses suggest intellect, or at least, a life engaged with reading and the world of ideas. De Vadder's choice to depict her in such a simple, unadorned manner challenges conventional representations, which often idealized or romanticized their subjects. The emotional depth in the woman's gaze invites a personal connection, one that transcends time. In this way, the artwork acknowledges the dignity and inner life of an otherwise overlooked individual.