Woman reading (1871-1873)
Technique: Giclée quality print
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"Woman Reading" (1871-1873) by Petrus van der Velden is an evocative rendering that captures the quiet moment of a woman engrossed in her book. This monochromatic sketch, primarily in charcoal, exemplifies van der Velden’s skill in using shadow and light to add depth and emotion to his subjects.The composition is layered, yet maintains a striking simplicity. The woman sits with her book, the soft contours of her figure gently illuminated, suggesting a tranquil, perhaps introspective, moment. Her surroundings, sketched with vigorous, expressive lines, contribute to an atmosphere of seclusion and peace, blurring into the background and focusing the viewer’s attention on the central figure. Van der Velden's technique creates a textural richness, allowing the viewer to feel the weight of the shadows and the lightness of the illuminated pages before her.This artwork is not just a portrait; it is a window into a serene moment, timeless in its appeal and resonant with the universal joy of losing oneself in a good read.
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Petrus van der Velden, who is also known as Paulus van der Velden, was a Dutch artist who spent much of his later career in New Zealand.
Petrus van der Velden was born in Rotterdam; his parents were Jacoba van Essel and Joannes van der Velden, a warehouse manager. Petrus began drawing lessons at around the age of 13 and subsequently apprenticed as a lithographer. In 1858 he founded a lithographic printing company in Rotterdam with business partner J. G. Zijderman.