Staande vrouw 1811 - 1873

Editor: Here we have "Standing Woman," a pencil drawing from sometime between 1811 and 1873, by Pieter van Loon, housed here at the Rijksmuseum. It feels so simple, almost like a study. What do you see in this piece? Curator: It’s fascinating how a seemingly simple sketch can reveal so much. Looking at the woman's clothing and posture, I'm drawn to questions of class and representation during that period. How might her social standing have influenced how she was viewed and portrayed? Consider the labor associated with that dress, and how access to certain materials and styles would be impacted by socioeconomic forces. Editor: So, you’re saying the sketch itself, the very act of creating it, can be seen through a socio-political lens? Curator: Precisely. And consider the power dynamics inherent in portraiture. Who commissions the work, who is depicted, and what message is conveyed? This "Standing Woman" likely occupied a very different position in society compared to the artist, which then begs the question, what narrative choices were at play here? And furthermore, how does our own contemporary understanding of identity and representation shape how we interpret this image today? Editor: That’s really made me think. I initially saw it as just a simple drawing, but now I see how it is representative of so many themes tied to the reality of women at the time. Curator: Exactly. By considering the intersectional narratives surrounding gender, class, and representation, we gain a deeper appreciation for both the artwork and the society in which it was created. What do you think our museum-goers will think? Editor: I think this added context will give them more than meets the eye. It definitely did for me.