Vrouwen bij waterput 1793

Friedrich Rehberg made this print of women at a well, we think around the late 18th or early 19th century. It shows women drawing water, a basic necessity, but it also speaks to the social roles and spaces of the time. It's interesting to note the setting, likely in Italy, given Rehberg's long stay in Rome. The well itself becomes a focal point for community interaction, particularly among women. This image offers a glimpse into their daily lives, their labor, and their social interactions. It's a scene of ordinary life, yet it speaks volumes about the social structure. The way they dress and carry themselves, reflects the visual codes of that era. To truly understand this work, we would need to dig into the social history of water access in Italy at this time. What were the public policies? Who controlled the water? How did this affect daily life? These are the questions we, as historians, would ask to fully understand this artwork within its cultural and institutional context.