Vrouw loopt over de heide met een zak op haar schouders c. 1906

Willem Witsen created this etching of a woman walking across the heath with a bag on her shoulders, sometime between 1870 and 1923. During this period, the Netherlands saw significant social and economic change, with many rural people experiencing hardship as they moved to urban areas in search of work. Witsen, born into a wealthy family, often depicted scenes of working-class life. Here, the woman's figure dominates the landscape, her posture suggesting the weight of her labor. The heath, a barren and expansive environment, symbolizes the challenges faced by rural communities. We can ask, what is in the bag she carries and who is it for? Is it heavy with the weight of her responsibilities? Witsen captures a sense of both dignity and hardship, reflecting the complex realities of rural life during this transformative period. The scene resonates with themes of labor, perseverance, and the connection between people and their environment.