Binnenplaatsje met figuren te Utrecht 1773 - 1815

Hermanus van Brussel made this watercolor of a courtyard in Utrecht. It offers a glimpse into the domestic life of the Netherlands, likely sometime in the late 18th or early 19th century. The image creates meaning through its depiction of everyday activities. A woman hangs laundry while two children play, and an older man sits outside a doorway. The painting illustrates the gendered division of labor in the Dutch family. We can see evidence of the Dutch interest in domesticity and the home, where women took care of the house and the children. The inclusion of the older man outside his home raises interesting questions about Dutch views on aging and retirement. As historians, we might consult period writings on Dutch social customs and gender roles to contextualize this image further. Only through understanding the social and institutional contexts of art can we start to appreciate its rich meanings.