Hoofd van een meisje, en profil 1886

This is Philip Zilcken's sketch, "Head of a Girl, in Profile," created with graphite on paper. Zilcken, who lived from the late 19th to the early 20th century, operated in a society undergoing significant shifts in gender roles and artistic representation. Here, the artist presents us with a young woman, her gaze directed beyond the frame, seemingly lost in thought or reverie. While the profile view maintains a degree of traditional portraiture, there is an undeniable softness to the lines, an intimacy that invites speculation about the sitter's identity and her relationship to the artist. Is she a sister, a lover, a muse? The sketch leaves these questions unanswered, offering a glimpse into a personal moment, yet holding the viewer at a distance. The ambiguity of the portrait encourages us to consider the lives of women during Zilcken’s time and the limitations placed on their self-expression and representation. In its quiet way, the drawing becomes a poignant reflection on identity, visibility, and the unspoken narratives of women in history.