Vrouwenkop c. 1894

Julie de Graag made this drawing, Vrouwenkop, using pencil on paper. De Graag worked in the Netherlands during a period when women artists were striving for recognition within a male-dominated art world. The Rijksmuseum, like many institutions at the time, was beginning to collect works by women, yet their representation remained limited. The drawing itself, though simple, reflects a turn towards more intimate and personal modes of expression. The delicate lines and subtle shading suggest a focus on interiority and emotion, perhaps a quiet commentary on the restricted roles often assigned to women in Dutch society. The absence of specific dating information complicates our understanding, but historical archives, exhibition records, and biographical studies can shed light on the cultural context surrounding De Graag's work. Ultimately, the meaning of this artwork depends on how we interpret it within its social and institutional context.