Jonge vrouw met een kool 1701

Bernard Picart created this print, “Jonge vrouw met een kool,” or “Young woman with a cabbage,” sometime between 1673 and 1733. During this time, artists often depicted the lives of everyday people. But it's rare to see women portrayed with such directness and humor. The woman, possibly a domestic worker named Claudine, holds a massive cabbage, her expression hinting at both pride and mischief. The accompanying verse suggests that even the finest cabbage soup needs more than just vegetables – it needs meat and fat, a playful nod to Claudine’s own “plumpness." This work challenges the typical representations of women at the time, who were often idealized or moralized. Picart instead presents us with a robust, working-class woman who seems comfortable in her own skin. It’s a celebration of everyday life, acknowledging the value and humor found in ordinary experiences.