Portrait of a Woman, Frontal View (1920-1924 CE)

Portret van een vrouw, van voren (Portrait of a Woman, from the Front) by Julie de Graag is a small yet evocative drawing created between 1920 and 1924. The minimalist depiction of an anonymous woman facing the viewer invites the observer into a world of quiet contemplation, showcasing the artist’s ability to express deep human emotion through subtle details.

This portrait was created during the late phase of Julie de Graag’s career, a period when she explored the delicate balance between simplicity and expressiveness in her work. The piece was made sometime between 1920 and 1924, a time marked by societal shifts in Europe post-World War I. De Graag, known for her introspective and often understated works, contributed significantly to Dutch art during this period. The drawing was donated to the Rijksmuseum in 1954 by de Graag herself, preserving her legacy within the institution’s collection.

An interesting anecdote associated with this piece is that Julie de Graag, despite living through turbulent times, including both World Wars, focused her artistic efforts on capturing peaceful, everyday scenes and figures. This portrait exemplifies her dedication to portraying ordinary individuals with a quiet dignity, reflecting her personal struggle with depression and her search for calm through her artwork.

“Portret van een vrouw, van voren” reflects the shift towards minimalism and the exploration of human emotion through understated forms. The focus on the frontality and simplicity of the portrait underscores the period’s move away from ornate, traditional art toward a more modern and expressive style. De Graag’s work also ties into broader European artistic movements of the time, which sought to distill the essence of human experience with as few details as possible.

The drawing was executed with pencil, black ink, and white gouache on paper. Its dimensions are 16 cm by 14 cm (approximately 6.3 inches by 5.6 inches), making it a small but intimate portrayal. The use of black and white contrasts highlights the subject’s facial expression, drawing attention to the delicate play of light and shadow. De Graag’s mastery of minimalism is evident in her restraint, where each stroke is deliberate, yet the overall effect is emotionally profound.

“Portret van een vrouw, van voren” has a clear provenance, having been donated to the Rijksmuseum by a relative to the artist in 1954. The donation was part of a larger effort to secure the legacy of Dutch artists from the early 20th century.