Meisje met uitgestrekte armen, ten voeten uit 1854 - 1914

Albert Neuhuys made this drawing, "Meisje met uitgestrekte armen, ten voeten uit", with a graphite pencil, giving it a muted and contemplative feel. The composition, featuring a young girl depicted in various poses, is striking. Neuhuys's drawing offers a study in form and attitude. We see the girl from multiple angles, capturing her gestures with loose, gestural lines. This recalls the techniques employed by artists like Rodin, who sought to convey movement and emotion through the manipulation of form. Semiotically, her outstretched arms can be seen as a visual signifier of vulnerability, an invitation for connection. Ultimately, the drawing destabilizes traditional portraiture. By presenting the subject in fragmented poses, Neuhuys encourages viewers to engage with the work actively, piecing together their own interpretation of the girl's emotional state.