Zittende vrouw Possibly 1870 - 1877

Cornelis Springer sketched this seated woman using graphite. Look at the woman's posture; she sits with her hands crossed, head leaning on one arm, gazing upwards. The pose is reminiscent of melancholic figures from ancient art, echoing the classical trope of contemplation. We can trace her roots to ancient sculptures of mourning figures, where similar postures denote grief or deep thought. Think of depictions of the muse Melpomene, often shown in a similar attitude of reflection. This posture of contemplation has, over time, become synonymous with the inner life, a visual shorthand for introspection and the human capacity for reflection. The gesture speaks to the weight of human thought, resonating with our shared emotional experiences. Consider how, even today, we instinctively adopt similar postures when lost in thought. It is a potent reminder of how deeply ingrained these visual symbols are in our collective consciousness. It is not just seen but felt, stirring something primal and deeply human within us.