Portret van een jonge vrouw 1770

"Portret van een jonge vrouw" is a drawing by Johannes Körnlein, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. In this delicate work, we see a young woman rendered with a remarkable sense of quiet introspection. Körnlein, active in the 18th century, presents her in the attire of the era, but it’s her averted gaze that captures our attention. During this period, women's identities were often defined by their social roles, mainly within the domestic sphere. The drawing’s intimacy invites us to consider the woman’s inner life, her dreams, and perhaps even her constraints. The subtle shading and delicate lines suggest a softness, hinting at a vulnerability that may have been at odds with the expectations placed upon women of her status. Körnlein’s portrait, while of its time, offers a glimpse into the nuanced identities of women, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of gender and societal roles.