Marie 1898

Willem Wenckebach made this drawing of Marie with a graphite pencil. At the turn of the century in the Netherlands, one of the key cultural tensions played out between the traditional values of the Dutch countryside, and the modernising and cosmopolitan influences of the city. The muted tones and intimate scale of this sketch create a sense of quiet, private contemplation that stands in stark contrast to the rapid social changes taking place during this period. The sketch's style, with its soft lines and delicate shading, reflects an artistic preference for realism and capturing fleeting moments. The work invites the viewer into a quiet, reflective space, seemingly removed from the public sphere and its concerns. Yet, the very act of portraying such a scene speaks to a desire to preserve a particular vision of Dutch life, one that is rooted in modesty and simplicity. To understand this work further, we might look to the cultural and literary journals of the time and delve into the debates around national identity. This helps us to place it within the wider narrative of a society grappling with modernisation.