Oude vrouw met gesloten ogen c. 1790 - 1800

Curator: Just look at this pencil drawing, dating back to around 1790-1800, by Louis Joseph Masquelier. He titles it "Oude vrouw met gesloten ogen"—Old woman with closed eyes. What’s your initial take? Editor: It feels like a whisper, doesn't it? An intimate glimpse into the silent world of aging. The shading is so delicate. Almost dreamlike. Curator: Indeed. Note how Masquelier employs incredibly fine, almost ghostly, pencil strokes to build form. The way the light falls... Or rather, doesn't fall. It's more like it emanates from within the paper itself. A fascinating example of realism meeting a kind of raw, emotional history-painting feel. Editor: I'm drawn to the use of line; each mark appears hesitant yet intentional. It really speaks volumes about impermanence. I like that it doesn't hide or embellish the effects of aging but rather stares right into the core elements. What do you feel about it? Curator: It resonates, that's for sure. Perhaps a bit too sentimental at first glance, but the artistry really holds it together. And consider that in late 18th century portraiture, it pushes back a little against typical ideals and decorum, offering something truly personal. A study in contrasts. There's something stoic in those closed eyes. She isn't hiding, is she? Editor: No, the wrinkles and folds practically declare it; this is seeing past the material and is heading into the non-material. She's seeing inwards. It invites us to question not only her internal experience but our own encounters with the world. The background darkens considerably too. It really draws us towards the face. Curator: Well, there’s something to ponder isn’t it? What we think we know about a face can only go so far when the window to the soul closes. A gentle challenge, really. Editor: Precisely. Art serving up the unsaid truths once again. It has moved my perspective of that era as well as added a level of clarity in a very unassuming way. Thank you!