Drie vrouwen bereiden cichorei 1891

"Drie vrouwen bereiden cichorei" (1891) by Louise Danse (1867-1948) depicts three women working in a dimly lit room. Their figures are silhouetted against a window with a brick wall behind them. They sit at a table preparing chicory roots, a type of coffee substitute. This etching, part of the Rijksmuseum collection, exemplifies the realism and social commentary characteristic of Danse's work, highlighting the everyday lives and labor of working-class women in 19th-century society. The piece's subtle use of light and shadow enhances the overall impression of an intimate yet somber setting.