Huilende vrouw in interieur 1855

David Bles created this print entitled 'Huilende vrouw in interieur', or 'Weeping woman in interior', in 1865. It presents the viewer with a scene of private grief, yet its display in the public setting of the Rijksmuseum raises questions about the public role of art. The image creates meaning through its visual codes, such as the weeping woman dressed in black mourning clothes. Here we are given a glimpse into the domestic life of the Dutch upper classes. The location appears to be a well-decorated sitting room. But what event has disrupted the calm of this home? Is the woman a widow? The image is subtle in its politics, yet it does reflect the values of its time. The scene speaks to the cultural importance of domesticity and mourning in the Netherlands during this period. The print is a kind of social document. To better understand this work, we can consult archives from the period such as newspapers and magazines which might shed light on the lives of Dutch women in the 19th century. Through these, we can better understand the social and institutional contexts that shaped its meaning.