Dienstmeid uit Koblenz, bezem in de hand 1728

Bernard Picart created "Dienstmeid uit Koblenz, bezem in de hand" - or "Maid from Koblenz, broom in hand" - as an engraving. The artwork is a window into the lives of working-class women in 18th-century Europe. At the time, social roles were highly defined and often restrictive, especially for women. Here, Picart portrays a woman in her working attire, complete with a broom, which was a symbol of her daily labor and social standing. The maid's gaze away from us might suggest something about her identity and role in society. Is she lost in thought, dreaming of a life beyond her daily chores? Picart's work provides a glimpse into the intersection of gender and class, highlighting the often invisible labor that sustained households and societies. The emotional weight of the image resides in its quiet acknowledgement of a life lived in service. It invites us to reflect on the lives of those whose stories often go untold.