Vrouw bij een ketel koolraapsoep in Ravensbrück - Aat Breur-Hibma

A poignant graphite drawing by Dutch artist Aat Breur-Hibma, documenting the harsh realities of daily life in the Ravensbrück concentration camp.

This drawing by Aat Breur-Hibma captures a moment of stark reality within the Ravensbrück concentration camp. Executed in graphite on paper, the work depicts a woman standing beside a large metal drum used for distributing swede soup. The artist, who was imprisoned in the camp for her involvement in the Dutch resistance, produced a series of clandestine sketches that document the daily existence of those held captive.

The composition is sparse, focusing entirely on the figure and the immediate objects of her environment. The woman is shown in a hunched posture, holding a small cup, her form rendered with thin, precise lines that convey both physical exhaustion and the harsh conditions of the camp. The background is minimal, suggesting the bleakness of the surroundings without unnecessary detail. The torn edge of the paper reflects the improvised nature of the materials available to the artist during her internment.

Breur-Hibma’s work functions as a direct record of historical events. Her ability to observe and record the human condition under extreme duress provides a clear, unadorned account of life in Ravensbrück. The drawing avoids sentimentality, relying instead on the clarity of the line and the accuracy of the observation. By focusing on the mundane yet desperate act of waiting for food, the artist communicates the pervasive hunger and dehumanisation experienced by the prisoners. This piece is part of a larger body of work that serves as a visual archive of the Second World War, offering a perspective from within the camp system. The simplicity of the medium, combined with the gravity of the subject, creates a direct connection between the viewer and the historical reality of the period.