Huiselijke bezigheden 1835 - 1837

"Huiselijke bezigheden" by W. Thompson presents a series of vignettes depicting women engaged in domestic tasks. The print offers a glimpse into the 18th or 19th century Dutch domestic sphere, where a woman’s worth was often tied to her ability to manage a household and raise children. These scenes, rendered with a somewhat naive hand, show women spinning wool, tending to children, cleaning, cooking, and selling goods. The women seem to be trapped in an endless cycle of labor. Consider the emotional weight of these expectations, and what it must have meant to live under such scrutiny. The title translates to "Household Activities," a seemingly neutral descriptor, but within it lies a loaded history of gendered labor and societal expectations. These women are both celebrated and confined by their roles. The print, with its simple lines and muted colors, invites a reflection on the labor, identity, and often unrecognized contributions of women throughout history. The emotional resonance of the piece is in this delicate balance between the ordinary and the profound.