Vrouw die een kind luist 1600 - 1700

This etching, "Woman Delousing a Child," was created by an anonymous artist using etching techniques on paper. The act of delousing, while seemingly mundane, offers a glimpse into the daily life and hygiene practices of the past. This image likely comes from 17th century Netherlands, a time and place where public health and sanitation were markedly different from today. The print illustrates a mother meticulously examining her child's hair, likely for lice. The scene suggests a domestic setting and hints at the challenges of maintaining cleanliness in an era with limited resources. We see a second child, perhaps waiting for the same treatment, and it alludes to the close quarters that families often inhabited. The absence of a known artist invites us to consider the broader social context rather than individual genius. Who was this artist, and what motivated them to capture this intimate moment? Art historians often turn to sources such as household inventories, medical treatises, and social histories to better understand the world that produced this image. These can shed light on the cultural norms and lived experiences of the time.