Figuur in een pofbroek en cape 1883 - 1922

Here we see a page from a sketchbook by Johanna van de Kamer, who was born in Rotterdam in 1873. Van de Kamer lived and worked during a period of significant social and political change in the Netherlands, including the rise of feminism and increased awareness of social inequalities. This sketch features figures adorned in capes and distinctive puffed trousers. Such attire reflects a break from traditional norms and a move toward more expressive forms of dress. The loose lines and unfinished quality of the sketch convey a sense of immediacy, and perhaps a deliberate defiance of the rigid societal expectations of women artists at the time. Van de Kamer may have been using these figures to explore themes of identity and resistance, using clothing as a symbolic representation of personal freedom. These figures embody the spirit of an era questioning the status quo. As you look, consider what these sartorial choices might signify about the individual’s place in society and their personal narrative.