Vrouw doet een stuiver in een doosje c. 1920 - 1930

Anny Leusink made this pen and ink drawing, "Vrouw doet een stuiver in een doosje," meaning "Woman puts a penny in a box," which depicts a domestic scene that invites us to consider the social realities of its time. The woman, likely a housewife, is shown placing a coin into a box on a table set for a simple meal. The setting suggests a modest household, perhaps in the Netherlands where Leusink was from. Without a specific date we can only guess. The act of saving pennies speaks to the economic constraints faced by many families, and the woman’s posture and attire suggest a life of domestic labor and frugality. The drawing then subtly critiques the social structures that confined women to the domestic sphere and highlights the economic challenges of the working class. To understand Leusink’s perspective, it would be interesting to know about her own life, her social class, and her artistic influences. Historical records and biographical information could provide more context. By exploring these avenues, we can better appreciate how art reflects and comments on the social conditions of its time.