Fotoreproductie van een tekening met een oude vrouw in een keuken 1886 - 1914

This photogravure reproduces an anonymous drawing of an old woman in a kitchen, and is preserved in the Rijksmuseum. The image invites us into a domestic sphere, a space historically coded as feminine. The woman, likely of lower social standing, is depicted amidst her daily labor. Yet, this scene is far from a straightforward depiction of labor or domesticity. It prompts us to consider the intersections of gender, age, and class. How are these social constructs shaping the woman's lived experience? The photogravure captures a feeling of "old friend feeling," as noted at the bottom of the print. It evokes a sense of nostalgia, inviting viewers to reflect on the lives of women whose stories often go unrecorded in history. This image speaks to the emotional labor of women and the sentimental value we place on images of the past.