Contourtekening van een staand meisje c. 1874 - 1925

Jan Veth rendered this contour drawing of a standing girl with pencil on paper. Veth was a man of the fin-de-siècle, a period defined by both its rigid social structures and the stirrings of modernity. He was an artist but also a poet, critic, and political activist. This portrait raises questions about the depiction of young women within the confines of late 19th-century European society. The girl's posture and dress reflect the period's emphasis on modesty and restraint. Yet there’s a certain vulnerability to the drawing. The girl's hands are clasped, her gaze averted, hinting at the inner life of a young woman on the cusp of adulthood. Consider how Veth’s progressive political views might intersect with his artistic representation of women. Does the simplicity of the drawing and the girl's demure pose reinforce traditional expectations, or does it offer a glimpse into her individual identity? This drawing acts as a historical artifact and an intimate portrayal of a young woman's experience.