Het Javaanse meisje Siti, zittend 1921 - 1922

Jan Veth made this beautiful drawing of Siti, a Javanese girl, with graphite and crayon on paper. The pale background and gentle cross-hatching give the drawing a quiet, almost meditative quality. You can see how Veth slowly built up the image, stroke by stroke, allowing the form to emerge gradually. I wonder what it was like for Siti to sit for Veth, holding still while he carefully captured her likeness? I love the little pops of pink crayon that give Siti’s clothes a soft glow. It reminds me of the way Vuillard would use color to animate his interiors. I imagine Veth carefully considering each line, each shadow, trying to capture not just Siti's appearance, but also her essence. It’s like he’s having a conversation with her through his drawing, a silent exchange of observation and interpretation. And through that exchange, we, as viewers, are invited to join the conversation too, to bring our own perspectives and experiences to the act of seeing.