Buste van een vrouw en twee figuren bij een mand c. 1846 - 1882

Cornelis Springer made this drawing of a woman and two figures by a basket using pen and brown ink with brush in gray ink. Look closely, and you’ll see the basket itself is very carefully rendered. Woven containers have always been important, especially for communities reliant on agriculture and fishing. The basket depicted here might be for storage or harvesting. Consider also that it is a handmade object, constructed laboriously by interlacing pliable materials. These elements have a social significance, in that they speak to the labor of women. The woman is dressed in traditional garments and is occupied with this basket, alluding to her role within this traditional, agrarian society. Springer’s drawing reminds us that handmade objects like baskets are more than just functional; they’re also embodiments of skill, tradition, and cultural identity. So, when we look at this seemingly simple drawing, we’re also seeing a glimpse into the lives and work of ordinary people.