Portret van een meisje, met neergeslagen blik 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen captured this girl's likeness in a drawing, her gaze averted, her expression introspective. The downcast eyes speak volumes. In Western art, this gesture is rich with meaning. It can convey humility, innocence, or even a deep sorrow. Consider the countless depictions of the Virgin Mary, often portrayed with a similar lowered gaze, embodying piety and contemplation. Yet, in other contexts, we see this gesture employed to suggest coyness, modesty, or even deception. The act of looking down transcends mere observation; it becomes a mirror reflecting our inner states, engaging viewers on a subconscious level. Perhaps the artist, consciously or not, tapped into this collective memory, evoking a powerful, almost primal response in us. The symbol of averted eyes becomes an echo resonating through time.