Studieblad, onder andere met een liggende vrouw en een liefdespaar 1849 - 1917

This pencil drawing of figures in various poses was created by Matthijs Maris, sometime in the late 19th century. The reclining woman and embracing couple present here are motifs steeped in the history of art and love. Consider the reclining woman, a figure that goes back to antiquity, seen in countless Venuses and nymphs. Her form, often associated with sensuality and leisure, appears here in a more subdued, perhaps melancholic state. Her presence evokes a sense of introspection and quiet contemplation, reflecting a shift from classical celebrations of beauty to more psychological explorations of emotion. Then there is the couple, locked in an embrace. This age-old symbol of unity and passion can be found in the art of nearly every culture. The embrace, as a fundamental human gesture, transcends time, yet here it is rendered with a gentle hand, inviting us to consider the complexities of human connection. These symbols continue their dance through time, constantly evolving and echoing in new forms.