Twee vrouwen op de rug gezien in Ravensbrück - Aat Breur-Hibma

A poignant graphite sketch by Aat Breur-Hibma, documenting two figures observed during her internment at Ravensbrück.

This graphite sketch by Aat Breur-Hibma captures two figures viewed from behind, rendered with a direct and unadorned hand. Created during her internment at the Ravensbrück concentration camp, the work functions as a quiet observation of daily existence under extreme duress. The figures are depicted in simple, worn clothing, their postures suggesting a state of weariness or perhaps a moment of stillness amidst the surrounding chaos. Breur-Hibma utilised a restrained line to document the reality of her environment, focusing on the silhouette and the texture of the garments rather than idealising the subjects.

The drawing is executed on modest paper, reflecting the scarcity of materials available to the artist during this period. The lines are thin and deliberate, avoiding unnecessary flourish. By choosing to portray the women from the rear, the artist maintains a sense of anonymity and distance, allowing the viewer to contemplate the collective experience of those held within the camp. The composition is sparse, placing the two figures against a neutral background, which directs the focus entirely onto their forms and the subtle details of their attire, such as the headscarves and simple footwear. This work provides a historical record of the conditions faced by prisoners, captured through the eyes of a fellow captive who sought to preserve the humanity of those around her through the act of drawing. It is a document of observation, created in circumstances where the simple act of recording one's surroundings was a dangerous and defiant pursuit.