Spiraal 1816 - 1852

Elisabeth Kemper created this drawing, entitled "Spiraal," with pen and ink on paper. Look closely, and you will notice a faint image of a woman's face in the spiral's center. The choice of materials, pen and ink, are themselves interesting. In Kemper's era, these were not just tools for art but essential for commerce, record-keeping, and governance. The paper support, too, speaks to a culture increasingly reliant on documentation. The spiral form is mathematically precise. The care taken in its creation and the technical proficiency required suggest a methodical, almost scientific approach. Kemper likely used a compass and ruler, tools associated with architecture, engineering, and other male-dominated fields. The spiral's association with growth, expansion, and even the cosmos adds layers of meaning. Considering the drawing as a whole, it invites questions about craft, labor, and social context, blurring the lines between art, science, and the daily practices of Kemper's time.