Meisje uit Subiaco, met een koperen kan op het hoofd 1830 - 1887

"Meisje uit Subiaco, met een koperen kan op het hoofd," or Girl from Subiaco with a copper jug on her head, is a pencil drawing made by Johan Hendrik Koelman. Koelman made the artwork in Italy when he was there on a grant. The drawing invites us to consider the representation of women within 19th-century European art. Here, Koelman captures the image of a young woman from Subiaco, Italy, balancing a copper jug upon her head, in what appears to be traditional garb. The drawing offers a glimpse into the daily life and labor of women in this region, yet it is also framed by the male gaze of the artist. Consider the ways in which Koelman’s own cultural background and artistic training might have shaped his perception and portrayal of this young woman. How does the drawing reflect or challenge the prevailing social norms and expectations placed upon women during this era? Does the drawing romanticize or idealize its subject?