Vrouw met een omslagdoek Possibly 1871 - 1872

Cornelis Springer created this drawing with graphite on paper. Graphite, derived from the Greek word graphein, "to write," is a crystalline form of carbon, typically mined in veins or pockets. The artist has exploited graphite’s inherent qualities of softness, weight and color to great effect. The soft material allowed Springer to create a range of tones, from light grays to deep blacks, which are visible across the woman's body, the draping cloth, and the shadows cast around her feet. The drawing shows clear evidence of the artist's hand, with visible pencil strokes that create texture and volume, indicating the artist had an intimate understanding of the properties of his materials and the effects they could produce. The simplicity of graphite on paper invites us to consider the social context in which this drawing was created, the labor involved in both the mining and processing of graphite, and the skill required to transform humble materials into a work of art. By appreciating the materials and making processes, we can expand our understanding of the artwork's significance.