Vrouw bij trap 1837 - 1855

Johannes Stroebel created this print called 'Vrouw bij trap' – or 'Woman by stairs' – sometime during his career in the 19th century. Stroebel lived through significant social and political change in the Netherlands. This image captures a scene of domestic life, but it also subtly reflects the societal roles and expectations of women during that time. We see a woman pausing on the staircase, bathed in light. She is accompanied by a dog, a symbol of loyalty, which may underscore the woman's expected role within the domestic sphere. The interior is rendered with careful detail, suggesting a comfortable, bourgeois existence. The woman’s posture and placement invite consideration, and perhaps even empathy, for the limitations placed upon women in 19th century society. The soft lighting and the quiet, contemplative mood of the piece evoke a sense of introspection. It offers a glimpse into a world that, while seemingly tranquil, was also shaped by the prevailing gender dynamics of the time.