Wadende vrouw 1828

Anthonie Willem Hendrik Nolthenius de Man made this artwork, Wadende vrouw, as an etching in 1828. During the 19th century in the Netherlands, art often reflected the prevailing social hierarchies, with genre scenes depicting the lives of everyday people. This small, intimate work captures a woman wading through water, carrying a basket, and offers us a glimpse into her daily life. The image reflects the labor and resilience of women during that time, especially those in rural settings, and prompts us to consider the physical demands they faced. Her posture, bent slightly with the weight of the basket, speaks volumes about the intersection of gender and class, where labor was often invisibly shouldered by women. Nolthenius de Man’s etching invites us to reflect on the lives of ordinary people and the silent stories of labor, gender, and survival embedded within them.