Boerin met gevogelte en opgeheven vinger c. 1741 - 1780

"Boerin met gevogelte en opgeheven vinger" was etched by L. Angélique Martinet in the 18th century. During this period, women artists navigated a complex social landscape often facing barriers to formal training and recognition. Martinet’s print depicts a peasant woman, burdened with a cage and fowl, yet she confronts the viewer with a raised, accusatory finger. The artist captures a moment of tension, her work confronts stereotypes around gender and class. Martinet empowers her subject with an undeniable presence. The etching invites us to consider the stories and struggles of those often marginalized in art history. Martinet offers an alternative to conventional representations. While the figure’s clothing and labor align with her class, her commanding gesture complicates any simple interpretation of submission. The woman becomes an active participant in the narrative. Martinet’s work encourages us to recognize the emotional lives and resilience of individuals from all walks of life.