Vrouw met twee manden en twee lopende vrouwen, in profiel Possibly 1649

Harmen ter Borch created this pen and brown ink drawing, "Vrouw met twee manden en twee lopende vrouwen, in profiel", in 1649. Ter Borch was from a well-to-do family, and he and his siblings became artists. Here, Ter Borch departs from traditional representations of women, instead capturing them in motion and focusing on their labor. The woman carrying the baskets is a study in the physical demands placed on working-class women. In contrast, the other two women are rendered almost as caricatures. Their exaggerated features and postures hint at a commentary on class and social roles. This piece offers insight into the artist's perception of gender and class dynamics in 17th-century Dutch society. The artist seems to be asking us to consider the varied experiences of women and to recognize their contributions and struggles.