Vrouw schrikt van een kikker 1887 - 1911

"Vrouw schrikt van een kikker" or "Woman startled by a frog" is an ink drawing by Gust van de Wall Perné. Here, a woman is caught in a moment of surprise, perhaps even fright, as she encounters a frog at her feet. The style is reminiscent of early 20th-century illustrations. Consider for a moment the setting: a domestic space, a garden, a gate. These details root the scene in the everyday life of women of that era, while it also seems to hint at something deeper than the surface portrayal of a startled woman. How might we interpret this encounter through the lens of gender and societal expectations? Is it a commentary on the perceived fragility or fearfulness of women, or could it be a more nuanced observation about unexpected disruptions in daily life? Notice how van de Wall Perné prompts us to reflect on the cultural narratives that shape our understanding of gender and nature. It also challenges the traditional representations of women in art.