Vrouw die een kind borstvoeding geeft 1867 - 1907

Hendrik Johannes Haverman created this drawing of a woman breastfeeding in the Netherlands, sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Haverman was part of a generation of Dutch artists who turned away from the grand, historical subjects that dominated academic art, choosing instead to depict scenes of everyday life. This intimate portrayal of motherhood reflects a growing interest in social realism, showing the realities of domestic life. The drawing's soft lines and warm tones create a sense of tenderness. In a time of changing social roles, images like these could challenge or reinforce traditional views on women's roles. To fully understand this drawing, we would need to delve into the social history of the Netherlands during this period: to understand the prevailing attitudes toward women, motherhood, and domesticity. By exploring these contexts, we gain a deeper understanding of the artwork’s place in history.