Allegorische vrouwenfiguur met een spiegel, op de rug gezien 1869 - 1925

Antoon Derkinderen created this drawing of an allegorical female figure with a mirror, using ink on paper. The figure’s dress cascades in rhythmic folds, captured with swift, assured strokes. Derkinderen’s choice of ink as a medium speaks to a tradition of quick, preliminary sketches, rather than the meticulous finish often associated with high art. The monochrome palette concentrates our attention on the artist’s hand, how the varying pressure and speed of his linework shapes the figure, and animates the scene. Consider too the symbolism inherent in the mirror. Historically, mirrors were luxury objects, emblems of vanity and self-reflection. By depicting the figure from behind, with her gaze directed inward, Derkinderen invites us to contemplate not just the material world, but also the intangible realms of perception and identity. Ultimately, this drawing reminds us that art is not just about representation, but about the act of making, and the cultural values embedded in the materials and processes artists choose.