Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1884 - 1886

George Hendrik Breitner sketched this portrait of an unknown woman at an unknown date, but it now resides in the Rijksmuseum. Breitner, living from 1857 to 1923, was a Dutch artist deeply engaged with representing the everyday life of Amsterdam. This particular drawing offers a glimpse into the intimate spaces of women's lives during that period. The woman's identity is unknown, yet Breitner captures a moment of reflection or repose. Her posture, with her hand gently touching her face, suggests a sense of contemplation. The sketch may reflect the traditional roles and expectations placed on women, but it also hints at the interiority of the individual. Breitner once said, "I paint what I see." This portrait encapsulates that sentiment, and the sketch invites us to reflect on the lives and stories of women often overlooked in history.