Lopend meisje 1868 - 1887

This is "Lopend meisje" (Walking Girl), drawn by Jan Willem van Borselen, likely sometime in the mid-19th century. It's rendered with graphite on paper, humble materials used here with great economy. The drawing’s appearance is directly linked to the speed and simplicity of the medium. The artist uses energetic strokes to capture the figure's form and movement. Look closely, and you can see how he's built up tone and texture with layers of hatching, a technique very common at the time. This directness reflects the artist’s close observation and the immediacy of his response. The choice of graphite, a readily available and inexpensive material, suggests a focus on accessibility, breaking away from the more formal, academic traditions of fine art. Instead, the artist engages with the everyday, capturing a fleeting moment from ordinary life. The sketch may seem simple, but it represents a conscious decision to value the immediacy of the artist’s vision.