Vrouw met een mand op haar rug 1873

This etching, "Vrouw met een mand op haar rug" or "Woman with a basket on her back", was made by Jozef Israëls. Israëls made many images of the working class. Here, the material of printmaking itself is significant. The etched line, created through a corrosive process, allows for the image to be multiplied, democratized, and circulated widely. The print's success lies in its skillful use of line to suggest form and atmosphere. See how the lines are densely packed in the woman’s clothing and the heavy basket, conveying weight and texture, and creating an overall sense of labor. The etching medium invites us to consider not only the artistic skill involved, but also the social implications of representing the everyday struggles of working people. This wasn’t just art for art's sake; it was art with a clear message about the human condition.