Twee vrouwen en een man eten samen before 1900

This monochromatic print, "Twee vrouwen en een man eten samen", or "Two women and a man eating together", presents a scene of domesticity. The piece reflects the particular social and cultural conditions of its time, though without knowing the precise date or location of its making, these are hard to pin down. We can examine the scene as it likely comments on the social structures of its era. Perhaps this print was made to be circulated among people who were against the social norms. Perhaps the artist wanted to critique the institutions of art. Understanding this image requires careful historical research, exploring similar visual records and social histories of domestic life. Only then can we begin to grasp the print's significance and how it speaks to the viewer, revealing that the meaning of art is contingent on social and institutional context.