Vrouwen met bagage op het hoofd 1923 - 1932

This small plaque titled *Women with Luggage on their Heads* was created by Reijer Stolk, likely in the 1920s or 30s. It is made from a sheet of copper, into which a lively scene has been etched. Look closely, and you can see how the artist has carefully worked the surface. Stolk would have applied a resist, drawn through it to expose the copper, and then used acid to bite away the lines of the composition. The figures are rendered with a light touch, conveying movement and rhythm. Note the contrast between the smooth surfaces and the incised lines, which create depth and texture. The choice of copper is significant, as it is a relatively inexpensive, industrial material, rather than a traditional fine art medium. The printmaking process suggests a desire to make art accessible and reproducible, while its imagery of labor and daily life reflects an interest in social themes. By combining craft techniques with modern subject matter, Stolk blurs the boundaries between art and everyday experience, inviting us to reconsider the value and significance of both.