Vrouwen uit het krankzinnigen-Block in Ravensbrück - Aat Breur-Hibma

A poignant graphite sketch by Aat Breur-Hibma, documenting the lives of women in the psychiatric block at Ravensbrück concentration camp.

Aat Breur-Hibma produced this series of sketches during her internment at the Ravensbrück concentration camp. The work depicts women within the psychiatric block, capturing their physical state with a direct, observational approach. The artist utilised available scraps of paper, often working in secret to document the conditions she witnessed. Her line quality is thin and precise, focusing on the posture and movement of the figures rather than decorative detail.

The composition is fragmented, reflecting the nature of the medium and the circumstances of its creation. Several figures appear in various states of motion or rest, rendered with minimal shading. The lack of a unified background or setting draws attention to the individuals, who are shown in simple garments. This piece functions as a historical record, providing a visual account of the human experience within the camp system.

Breur-Hibma's work is characterised by its restraint. She avoids sentimentality, choosing instead to record the reality of the environment. The paper itself shows signs of age and wear, consistent with its survival through the end of the Second World War. As a primary source, the drawing offers a perspective on the daily lives of prisoners, specifically those held in the psychiatric ward. The sketches are not polished compositions, but rather immediate responses to the artist's surroundings. They remain a sober reminder of the period, preserved for their historical value and the courage required to produce them under such extreme duress.