Man leunend tegen een muur, de benen gekruist 1865 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht created this pencil drawing of a man leaning against a wall with crossed legs sometime before 1913. Hubrecht was born in 1855, meaning the social expectations of women during the late 19th century would have been prominent in shaping her development as an artist. Here, the male figure is presented in a casual pose, emphasizing his relaxed posture and demeanor. This is a departure from the more traditional, formal representations of men, often depicted in positions of power and authority. Instead, this image captures a moment of rest or contemplation. I wonder, was Hubrecht offering a counter-narrative to the conventional representation of masculinity? The simplicity of the drawing, with its soft lines, creates an intimate atmosphere. It invites us to reflect on themes of identity, gender and representation within the context of late 19th-century artistic expression.