Meisje aangereden door een paardenkar (1887 - 1916)

The powerful ink drawing titled "Meisje aangereden door een paardenkar" by the Dutch artist Willem Pothast captures a dramatic and poignant moment. This captivating scene unfolds in a tranquil town setting, distinguished by historical architecture and a church tower that pierces the skyline, adding a timeless quality to the artwork.Central to Pothast's composition is the distressing incident: a young girl lies on the ground, apparently struck by a horse-drawn cart. Her body is sprawled across the cobblestone street, her expression conveying shock and pain. The cart, detailed meticulously from its wooden structure to the weary stance of the horse, stands halted immediately beside her, suggesting the suddenness of the accident.The tension in the scene is further heightened by the figure of an elderly woman, presumably a bystander or possibly the girl’s caretaker, who rushes towards the fallen child with arms outstretched in a gesture of alarm and concern. Her face is etched with worry, portraying a raw, human response to the unexpected calamity.The backdrop, with its quaint houses and the prominent gothic church, sets a contrastingly peaceful and orderly stage against which this chaotic and distressing moment is starkly highlighted. The intricate linework and attention to detail in the architecture invite viewers to contemplate the coexistence of daily life's calm rhythm and its potential abrupt interruptions by unforeseen events.