Staand meisje 1865 - 1930

Jac van Looij rendered "Standing Girl" in charcoal and chalk on paper, during a time when the social status of women and children was being closely examined. Looking at this drawing, one might consider the artist’s intention in depicting the sitter with such androgyny. Is van Looij commenting on the limited roles available to women in the late 19th and early 20th centuries? Gender and class come into play. The girl’s plain clothing suggests a working-class background, a class often subjected to harsh treatment and limited opportunities. The delicate rendering softens any potential social commentary. "Standing Girl" invites us to consider the artist’s personal and artistic vision. The girl's ambiguous expression evokes introspection, and reminds us that representation in art is never neutral, but rather, layered with cultural and personal meanings.