Meisje met een kapje op het hoofd, van achteren gezien 1865 - 1913

Bramine Hubrecht made this pencil drawing, titled 'Girl with a hood on her head, seen from behind', in the Netherlands. Hubrecht's sketch encourages us to reflect on the position of women in Dutch society at the time. The girl's averted gaze and covered head could be seen to suggest modesty and obedience, qualities that were highly valued in women during this period. However, we can also note a certain dignity and self-possession in her posture. Without knowing more about the specific social and institutional context in which Hubrecht was working, it's difficult to say whether this drawing is consciously conservative or progressive. It may simply be an objective study of a young woman, or it may be a subtle comment on the social expectations placed upon women in the Netherlands. As art historians, we might consult sources such as contemporary advice manuals, women's magazines, and other visual representations of women to gain a better understanding of the social norms and expectations of the time.