Portret van een onbekende vrouw 1913

This is Samuel Jessurun de Mesquita’s woodcut portrait of an unknown woman, printed in the Netherlands. The portrait’s stark contrasts and simplified forms speak to the rise of modernism in the early 20th century. Mesquita, who would later become a teacher at the Amsterdam School of Applied Arts, was exploring the potential of printmaking as a medium for capturing psychological depth and social commentary. The choice of an anonymous subject reflects a shift away from traditional portraiture's focus on the elite, inviting viewers to contemplate the lives and experiences of ordinary people. The Netherlands at this time was undergoing rapid social and political change. A surge in socialist ideals and the development of labor movements pushed artists to create works that engaged with contemporary issues. Mesquita's portrait embodies this spirit, prompting reflection on the role of women in society and the complexities of modern life. By consulting period publications, exhibition reviews, and the artist's biography, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped this compelling work.