Gesluierde figuur met een hondenkar 1876 - 1877

Willem Cornelis Rip made this sketch of a veiled figure with a dog cart with graphite. Rip was working at a time of significant social change. Rapid urbanization and industrialization led to a growing divide between the wealthy and the working class. The veiled figure, rendered with delicate lines, invites contemplation. During the late 19th century, women's roles were heavily prescribed, often confined to domestic duties. Here, we see a woman perhaps engaged in labor, pulling a cart, challenging those societal expectations. The presence of the dog cart also speaks to the economic realities of the time, where animals were often used for work. Rip's sketch captures a sense of everyday life. It is a glimpse into a world where traditional roles and modern realities intersect, inviting us to reflect on the complexities of gender, labor, and social change.