Twee vrouwen met manden Possibly 1870 - 1877

Cornelis Springer made this pencil drawing of two women with baskets, now held at the Rijksmuseum. It is interesting to consider the social and economic context in which this kind of image was made, likely in the Netherlands in the mid-19th century. This work seems rooted in the Dutch tradition of genre painting, depicting scenes from everyday life, but with a twist. While it is very understated, the image may be understood as a comment on the changing role of women in Dutch society at the time. It evokes questions about labor, class, and the representation of women in art. The relatively simple style suggests a move away from more academic approaches. Historians would likely consult archives and other documents to better understand the social dynamics represented in the artwork. Studying the institutional history of art and the cultural values of the time allows us to interpret the role of this simple image within a wider network of social and cultural meanings.