Vrouw met een hoed met een strik c. 1885 - 1911

This sketch by Jozef Israëls, now at the Rijksmuseum, presents a woman adorned with a prominent hat featuring a bow. The hat, a symbol of status and femininity, appears in various forms across art history, from ancient headdresses to the elaborate constructions of the 18th century. The bow itself, tied so deliberately, is a visual motif that transcends mere decoration. Think of the countless depictions of ribbons and knots in Renaissance paintings symbolizing bonds of love or commitment. This simple knot is also reminiscent of the complex entanglements of fate seen in classical mythology. But here, in Israëls' sketch, the bow and hat take on a more subtle, psychological dimension. The hat obscures the woman’s face, casting her in shadow, while the tied bow appears simultaneously decorative and binding. What emotional undertones are suggested by the contrast between ornamentation and emotional constraint? This image carries a quiet echo of the cultural tensions surrounding women and their roles, a recurring theme in the visual arts that engages our subconscious to this day.