Profile of Old Woman in Cap n.d.

Pieter Gaal created this graphite drawing, Profile of Old Woman in Cap, in the early 19th century. It captures the sitter’s features and textures of her clothing with considerable precision. This image speaks volumes about the visual codes of its time. In 19th-century Netherlands, portraiture was increasingly shaped by the rise of a middle class eager to affirm its status. But rather than portray a wealthy merchant or member of the aristocracy, Gaal chose to represent an elderly woman. The cap and shawl suggest modesty and perhaps a connection to rural life or a more traditional past. The image invites us to consider who is deemed worthy of representation and how artists play a role in shaping perceptions of social class and value. To understand the image better, we can look at the history of Dutch portraiture, the traditions of costume, and the period’s social structures. What is the public role of art? Here, we see the power of art to challenge those existing social norms.