Staande vrouw van opzij gezien, met een glas in haar linkerhand en een kan in haar rechterhand c. 1650 - 1675

This black chalk drawing of a standing woman, holding a glass and a jug, was made by Cornelis Bega in the Netherlands sometime in the mid-17th century. Bega, the stepson of Haarlem master Adriaen van Ostade, specialized in genre scenes depicting peasant life. While this isn't a finished painting, it does provide insight into the cultural codes of the time. The woman's clothing is simple, suggesting that she belongs to a lower social class. The presence of alcohol is also significant, as drinking was a common pastime in Dutch society at the time. It has been suggested that the Dutch golden age saw a rise in the consumption of alcohol, which was sometimes criticized by moralists. Looking at drawings like this helps us to understand the social conditions that shaped artistic production. By consulting historical documents, such as diaries, letters, and inventories, we can learn more about the lives of the people depicted in these images and gain a deeper appreciation for the art of the Dutch Golden Age.