Staande vrouw, van voren Possibly 1846

Pieter van Loon made this pencil drawing of a standing woman in 1846. The attire of the woman, with her modest cap and apron, indicates her role as a domestic servant. During the 19th century, class distinctions were visibly reinforced through dress. The clothing of domestic servants, like the woman in this drawing, signaled their social standing. While art often depicted the lives of the wealthy, this sketch offers a glimpse into the labor and lives of working-class women. The woman's downcast gaze and the simplicity of the drawing create an intimate, empathetic portrayal, diverging from traditional, idealized representations. Van Loon’s sketch invites us to reflect on the often-unseen labor that sustains daily life and on the individuals whose stories are frequently overlooked in historical narratives. It is in these quiet, observational moments that we find a connection to the lives of those who came before us.