Zittende vrouw 1881 - 1883

This is a quick sketch of a seated woman made by George Hendrik Breitner. The sinuous, contour lines describing the woman’s form bring to mind the ancient motif of the ‘Nymph’ – a Greco-Roman deity always depicted reclining or seated close to nature. Notice how the woman’s head is slightly bowed, with her face cast in shadow. The shadow creates a sense of mystery. The seated pose echoes in countless artworks throughout history, from classical depictions of goddesses to modern portraits of contemplative figures. Breitner invokes the deep, subconscious understanding that we have to the Nymphs and goddesses of the past. This ‘type’ transcends its immediate form and becomes an archetype—a universally recognized symbol. This echoes and reinvents ancient artistic conventions. This sketch reminds us that images carry emotional weight through time.