Dienstingang van een kasteel of woonhuis 1834 - 1850

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this lithograph, "Service Entrance of a Castle or House," in the mid-19th century. Last's work provides insight into the social hierarchies and gendered spaces of the era. Notice the stark contrast between the imposing architecture of the castle and the humble activities at the service entrance. Two women, presumably domestic workers, are seen tending to daily tasks, a child is playing on the stoop, the wood is stacked to the side. The artist directs our gaze not to the grand facade, but to the quotidian lives of those who sustained it. The scene offers a glimpse into the lives of women and children whose labor was essential but often overlooked. Last's lithograph serves as a reminder of the hidden labor and the silent stories embedded within the walls of grand estates, capturing a moment of quiet dignity amid the rigid structures of class and gender.