Staande vrouw bij een wegwijzer before 1949

This is Hans Borrebach’s drawing of a standing woman by a signpost, made with ink on paper. The limited palette of black and white gives the image a graphic feel. The process of drawing is very much on display, each line carefully placed, with some areas filled with dense, solid marks and others left open with sparse, gestural strokes. Look at the woman's skirt, how Borrebach uses dense hatching to create shadow and volume. This contrasts with the bare outline of her legs and the crisp, economical lines of her shirt. It's a study in contrasts, creating a dynamic visual rhythm. The signpost above her head points in multiple directions, topped with a heart pierced by an arrow. Borrebach seems to be riffing on some of the same themes as someone like David Hockney, who also has a playful way of imbuing seemingly simple scenes with a knowing, slightly melancholy wit. Ultimately, the drawing remains ambiguous, prompting us to ponder the woman's journey and the choices she faces.