Studies voor kalender van 1901: tuinierende vrouw en studies van bladeren 1876 - 1924

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof created this study in preparation for a calendar in 1901, using graphite on paper. It features sketches of a woman gardening, accompanied by detailed studies of leaves. Dijsselhof was working during a period of significant change in the roles of women. The image presents us with a depiction of women working, yet the lack of facial features renders them somewhat anonymous, and invites contemplation on the lived experiences of women during this era. Were they enfranchised or still bound by traditional expectations? The leaves, rendered with care and precision, seem to hint at broader themes of growth, nature, and the cycle of life. Dijsselhof's artistic approach, capturing both the figure and the botanical details, reflects the period’s shifting cultural landscape and prompts us to consider the place of women in the natural world. We can ponder the symbolic meanings of the garden and the emotional connection between women and nature.