Vrouw met een omslagdoek Possibly 1870 - 1877

This drawing by Cornelis Springer depicts a woman draped in a shawl, its fabric adorned with a meander pattern. The meander, that labyrinthine line, whispers tales of ancient Greece, where it symbolized eternity and the endless flow of life. We see it echoed in Roman mosaics, Byzantine textiles, and even in the borders of medieval manuscripts. Across cultures, the meander appears as a protective emblem, guiding the wearer through life's complexities. Consider, too, how the act of veiling – seen here in her draped shawl – conjures notions of both concealment and revelation, a negotiation between private and public selves. It resonates with the universal human desire for both protection and self-expression, emotions as old as time itself. This simple drawing captures the enduring power of symbols.