Zittende vrouw met kind c. 1860 - 1866

Cornelis Springer made this sketch of a seated woman and child sometime in the mid-19th century. It's a simple work, made with graphite on paper, probably in a sketchbook. The quickly applied strokes give the piece a sense of immediacy, capturing a fleeting moment of everyday life. The artist clearly wasn't aiming for a polished, finished product. This was a study, an exercise, or maybe just a way to pass the time. There's a quiet intimacy to the scene. The woman is holding the child on her lap, maybe telling a story or singing a song. The marks of the graphite are visible, which reminds us of the artist's hand and the labor involved in creating the image. It invites us to consider the value and purpose of making art, even in its most humble forms.