Moeder met kinderen in de duinen 1844 - 1897

Christiaan Lodewijk van Kesteren created this etching, titled 'Mother with Children in the Dunes,' during the late 19th century. The stark black and white image depicts a mother and her children amidst a windswept, austere landscape. During this period, many artists began to explore the realities of rural life, moving away from idealized depictions of the countryside. There’s a strong sense of the mother’s role as caregiver and protector, but I also see a quiet acknowledgement of the hardships faced by women in providing for their families. The children's expressions and postures convey both innocence and a certain weariness. I notice how they seem to cling to one another as if seeking comfort in their shared experiences. Van Kesteren captures the emotional weight of motherhood and the ties that bind families together in the face of adversity. It speaks to the resilience and enduring strength required to navigate the challenges of existence, particularly for women and children.