Liggende figuur 1849 - 1917

This is ‘Liggende figuur’, or ‘Reclining Figure’ made by Matthijs Maris, a Dutch artist who lived from 1839 to 1917. Maris’ work is often described as melancholic and dreamlike. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, a time marked by industrialization and social change, many artists turned inward. They explored themes of subjectivity, memory, and the human condition. Maris, like many of his contemporaries, was deeply interested in the emotional and psychological dimensions of human experience. Here, Maris uses delicate lines to sketch a figure in repose. The ambiguity of the lines invites introspection. What does it mean to depict someone at rest, lost in their own thoughts? It’s a tender exploration of vulnerability. It gently nudges us to consider the moments of quiet reflection that shape our understanding of ourselves and the world around us.