Standing Girl 

Henry Clarence Pitz created this sketch titled, 'Standing Girl' with graphite on paper. Pitz was an American illustrator known for his contributions to children's books and historical publications. In this work, the girl's posture and gaze—directed slightly upwards and away—suggest a sense of hope. There is a tension between her covered body and bare feet that complicates the meaning of the work. Are we looking at a young woman who has been forced to remove her shoes, or someone who doesn't have any? What does the book in her hands signify? Is it a tool, or a sign of a life that may not be available to her? The sketch invites us to consider the complexities of identity and representation, especially in relation to gender, class, and social status during the early to mid-20th century.