Wafelverkoopster 1825 - 1835

This print, 'Wafelverkoopster', was created by Jean-Baptiste Madou. In this lithograph, a woman is depicted selling waffles, a common sight in 19th-century Brussels. Madou captures a moment in the daily life of a working-class woman, but it's important to consider how class distinctions play out in this seemingly simple scene. Women like this wafelverkoopster often faced economic hardship and social stigma. Yet, here she is, front and center, her presence commanding the space. What does it mean to see her depicted with such dignity? It's a counter-narrative to the stereotypes that often marginalized women like her. This image invites us to think about the realities of women's labor in the 19th century, and to consider the stories of resilience and struggle behind the figures we see in art.