Vrouw met geiten 1849 - 1917

This drawing, "Vrouw met geiten," at the Rijksmuseum is by Matthijs Maris. It’s a dense network of graphite lines on paper, appearing almost ghostly. The composition teeters between representation and abstraction, a hallmark of Maris's symbolist leanings. The lines weave and blur, creating a sense of form emerging from a dreamlike state, which seems to echo Maris's own life of hardship. The grid of the paper is visible beneath the lines, adding another layer of structure to the ethereal image. This gridded structure acts almost as a counterpoint to the fluidity of the lines. It reminds us of the inherent order that underlies even the most seemingly chaotic expressions. It is as if the artist is engaged in a conversation between the rational and the intuitive, the planned and the spontaneous. Ultimately, the drawing offers a glimpse into the artist's search for meaning.