Zittende vrouw, steunend op een blok steen 1801 - 1876

Pieter Ernst Hendrik Praetorius made this drawing of a seated woman resting on a block, using pen in brown and brush in gray. The composition is dominated by the stark contrast between the geometric form of the stone block and the softly rendered figure of the woman. Notice how the artist uses varying tones to model the woman's figure, creating a sense of depth and volume. The hatching and cross-hatching techniques add texture, particularly in her clothing, which contrasts with the smooth, flat surface of the stone. The subject's contemplative pose invites us to consider the psychological weight of the scene. Her downcast gaze and the way she leans on the block suggest a moment of introspection or weariness, elements that unsettle our reading of the image as a simple portrayal of a woman. The formal tension between the hard lines of the stone and the organic curves of the figure destabilizes established meanings, prompting us to reflect on the human condition.