‘Het Antwoord’ c. 1879

‘Het Antwoord’ (c. 1879) is a painting by Dutch artist Kate Bisschop-Swift (1834-1928). The painting depicts a young woman seated at a table, holding a pen and a sheet of paper. She appears to be deep in thought, perhaps contemplating the answer to a question. The painting is a typical example of the realism style that was popular in the late 19th century, and it is characterized by its detailed depiction of the subject and its focus on everyday life. The painting’s intimate scale and the woman’s introspective pose contribute to the sense of quietude and contemplation. Bisschop-Swift was known for her skill in portraying the complexities of human emotion, which is evident in this work.