Schetsblad met diverse studies van een staande vrouw 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this sketch of a standing woman with a pencil. The studies of a standing woman give us insight into the artistic process of the late 19th century. Dijsselhof, as an artist associated with the Dutch Symbolist movement, would often emphasize the spiritual and emotional experience through art. Note how he captures the everyday activities of women. It seems he seeks to elevate the ordinary to a symbol. This approach mirrors the socio-political context in the Netherlands. During the late 19th century there was a growing interest in the lives of ordinary people alongside movements for social reform. Dijsselhof’s choice to focus on the quiet dignity of the everyday is perhaps his own commentary on the value of the individual, no matter their social class or role in society. When we look at art we must consider the economic, social, and political conditions of its time. By consulting letters, diaries, newspapers, and political pamphlets, we can gain a deeper understanding of the artist's intentions and how the artwork would have been received by its contemporary audience.