The artwork, titled “Old Woman with Handkerchief,” was created circa 1903 by the renowned artist Paula Modersohn-Becker. As an expressionist piece, the portrait measures 69 by 55 centimeters and exemplifies the genre’s emotional and stylistic vibrance. The subject of the artwork is an elderly woman, depicted with meticulous attention to expressive detail, characteristic of Modersohn-Becker’s approach within the Expressionism movement.
In the artwork, the old woman is shown seated in a profile view against a muted background, her face worn with age and her features sharply defined. She wears a dark garment, which contrasts with her pale, almost sallow complexion. Her posture is somber and contemplative, with her hands gently clasping a handkerchief. The handkerchief, albeit small in the composition, adds a subtle yet poignant detail to the figure’s demeanor, possibly suggesting a state of reflection or mourning. The artist’s use of earthy tones and subdued colors further accentuates the melancholic atmosphere, emphasizing the emotional depth and humanity of the subject.
