Wandelende vrouw, op de rug gezien c. 1882

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this walking woman from behind, likely near the turn of the century, with charcoal on paper. The woman, obscured and anonymous, becomes a vessel for our projections. We see echoes of the Rückenfigur—the figure seen from behind—a motif Friedrich used to sublime effect. Think of his lone wanderer above the sea of fog. Here, the woman evokes a similar sense of solitude. The very act of turning away invites introspection. As we gaze upon her retreating form, we are drawn into our own inner landscapes. This posture resonates through history, appearing in countless works, each time imbued with the weight of human experience. This simple sketch taps into a primal sense of longing, a yearning for what lies beyond our immediate grasp. The woman's anonymity allows us to see ourselves, and our own journeys, reflected in her solitary path.