Compositie van een onbekende vrouw, het haar opmakend 1870 - 1923

Willem Witsen made this watercolor of an unknown woman arranging her hair in the late 19th or early 20th century. It captures a private moment, yet it also hints at broader social dynamics of the Netherlands at the time. The woman's simple clothing suggests a working-class background, while her act of attending to her appearance speaks to changing norms around femininity and labor. In Dutch cities at the time, there were increasing numbers of women working as domestic servants. Witsen himself was part of the art world of the Hague School, with its emphasis on realism and depictions of everyday life. This work reflects an interest in portraying ordinary people. The image suggests questions about the social and economic conditions that shape women’s lives. Looking at personal documents and social histories from this period can help us understand the complex relationships between gender, class, and representation in Dutch art. Appreciating art involves considering its place within its specific historical moment.