Portret van een staande vrouw met een meisje op de arm 1860 - 1900

Gustav André Jr.'s "Portret van een staande vrouw met een meisje op de arm," presents a vertical composition defined by soft, monochromatic tones. The subjects, positioned centrally, exude a gentle stillness, their forms rendered with a delicate attention to light and shadow. André employs a classic structure, the mother and child forming a unified shape, yet the texture of their garments and skin suggest a deeper semiotic reading. The mother's gaze, directed subtly towards the child, and the child's direct stare establish a relationship of dependency. The sepia tones and the framing suggest not just a portrait but an exploration of familial bonds. It invites contemplation on the visual and cultural construction of motherhood. This work, with its emphasis on form and subtle expression, functions within a broader discourse about the representation of women. It prompts us to reconsider these traditional roles through a contemporary lens.