Mietje 

Maggie Laubser, a white South African woman, painted “Mietje” using oil on canvas. Laubser spent time in Europe, where she encountered German Expressionism, which influenced her artistic style. In South Africa at the time, the system of Apartheid was taking shape. Laubser often painted Black subjects in her paintings. It is important to consider the power dynamics at play when a white artist depicts a Black subject during this time. Laubser was interested in portraying the everyday lives of Black South Africans, she once said “I am a South African, and I am moved by South Africa – its people and its soil." The painting presents Mietje with dignity. Note the direct gaze, which suggests a sense of pride and self-possession. Laubser's work prompted conversations about race, representation, and the role of art in shaping societal perceptions. The emotional depth of this portrait allows for a more nuanced understanding of South African history.