Zittende vrouw c. 1656 - 1657

Moses ter Borch created this wash drawing, "Zittende vrouw," sometime during his short life in the mid-17th century. Ter Borch came from a family of artists during the Dutch Golden Age. This intimate portrayal of a seated woman, rendered in delicate washes of gray, invites contemplation. The woman’s dress drapes softly, but it's her hands, clasped gently in her lap, that capture our attention. What narratives might her posture and expression convey? In a society rigidly defined by gender roles, how did women navigate their identities? Did this image offer an alternative representation? This drawing prompts reflection on the quiet strength and resilience of women throughout history. It reminds us to consider the untold stories and the complexities of identity within historical contexts.