Vrouwenkop 1865 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht made this head study with graphite on paper. We can see the strokes of graphite that give the woman shape and volume, the artist utilizing the inherent qualities of graphite to build depth through tonal variation, and the soft texture of the paper. Hubrecht likely created this sketch as a preparatory study, reflecting an academic approach to artmaking. But even a preliminary drawing like this shows a skilled hand, trained to capture the essence of the human form with just a few lines. Hubrecht was working in a time when women artists were gaining more recognition, and the labor-intensive skill involved in traditional drawing methods was highly valued. It's a reminder that artistic skill is a product of dedicated work, and that even a simple drawing can carry significant cultural meaning.