Twee vrouwen 1824 - 1894

Charles Rochussen made this print of two women. The medium is etching, a printmaking technique that involves using acid to corrode lines into a metal plate, which is then inked and pressed onto paper. The labor-intensive process of etching mirrors the social context of the scene, depicting the lives of working-class women. The texture and weight of their garments, rendered through Rochussen’s meticulous lines, speak to the material realities of their daily lives. One woman carries a basket on her head, a clear sign of her role as a worker, perhaps carrying goods to market. Consider the skilled traditions that Rochussen engaged with, blending the techniques of fine art with the depiction of everyday labor. By focusing on materials, making, and context, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork and its commentary on labor and class.