Hoofd van een baby met gesloten ogen 1887 - 1924

Julie de Graag made this drawing of a baby's head with closed eyes, in graphite on paper. The hatching is so delicate, so light. It's almost like she's afraid to wake the little one. The pressure of the pencil on the paper is barely there, yet it's enough to give form and weight to the baby's face. Look at the lips, pursed and soft. Each tiny line seems to breathe. There's a real tenderness here. The baby is at peace. You can see a conversation happening between the artist and the subject. It reminds me of Paula Modersohn-Becker, who also drew babies with such care and attention. Both artists seemed to understand that even the smallest, most fleeting moments are worthy of our deepest consideration. It’s about embracing the subtle, the quiet, and the beautifully ambiguous.