Stenen hoofd 1898

Editor: This is "Stenen hoofd," a graphite drawing from 1898 by M. Nicolle. It feels like a quiet, intimate portrait, almost like a glimpse into a private sketchbook. How do you interpret this work? Curator: Considering the historical moment, and given the subject's head covering, I see resonances with the figure of the 'New Woman' emerging at the fin de siècle. The ‘New Woman’ challenged traditional gender roles through education, work, and even dress. This drawing, perhaps unintentionally, participates in that visual discourse. Does the subject’s neutral expression suggest a quiet defiance or internal reflection in response to the world around them? Editor: I hadn’t considered that! The headdress seemed almost medieval to me, maybe referencing a religious order, or perhaps even an idealized version of the past. Curator: Precisely. And those historical or religious references can also be radical. What did it mean to evoke the aesthetic of a convent when the restrictive roles of women within the church were also under scrutiny? This drawing highlights those tensions. Editor: That's a really interesting point. It makes me think about the power dynamics at play and how women were often confined to specific roles, either domestic or religious. This portrait could be interpreted as a commentary on those limitations. Curator: Absolutely. We need to examine art history by layering identity, gender and politics to fully see its relevance to current sociopolitical views. Who is the artist? How did Nicolle feel as they rendered this likeness? These questions give the piece contemporary meaning. Editor: This has completely changed how I see this drawing! I’ll never look at historical portraits the same way again. Curator: Nor I! This deeper look shows the subject to be so thoughtful and perhaps conflicted, which adds layers to this moving sketch.