Studie van drie vrouwen 1877 - 1909

This is Louise Danse’s, "Studie van drie vrouwen," created with etching. Born in Belgium in 1867, Danse lived through a time when women artists were gaining more recognition, yet still faced significant barriers. This work captures an intimate view of women, likely ordinary working-class women, a subject that diverges from the often-idealized depictions of women in art during her time. The etching depicts the women with stark realism. Note the contrast between the older woman's direct gaze and the bowed heads of the other two figures, possibly younger women. This contrast might speak to the varying experiences and burdens women carry through different stages of life. How does it feel to consider the connection, or disconnection, between these women? Danse's choice to portray such subjects aligns her with a broader movement towards social realism in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, where artists sought to represent everyday life and challenge traditional, often romanticized, artistic themes.