Drie vrouwen met takkenbossen op een bospad c. 1884 - 1887

Willem Witsen sketched "Three Women with Bundles of Branches on a Forest Path" using graphite on paper. Born into a wealthy family, Witsen depicted the working class throughout his career. Here, three women are captured mid-labor, carrying heavy bundles through a dense forest. It is impossible to ignore how the artist’s class and gender differ from those of his subjects, which inevitably shaped his interpretation of their lives. This difference in social status asks us to consider who is seen, who is doing the seeing, and under what circumstances. What does it mean to see these women through Witsen’s eyes, knowing he likely never shared their hardships? The sketch evokes a quiet, somber mood, highlighting the women's resilience amid their daily struggles. It invites us to reflect on the intersections of gender, class, and labor, and to consider the stories of those whose lives are often overlooked.