Three market women and a passer-by 1662

Esaias Boursse created this graphite on paper drawing, titled "Three market women and a passer-by," sometime in the mid-17th century. Boursse, an employee of the Dutch East India Company, spent time in Asia. This work provides a glimpse into the complex social and economic dynamics of the region during a period of intense colonial activity. The depiction of the women at work contrasts with the figure of the passer-by, a local man whose gaze introduces a sense of self-awareness into the scene. How does the image function as a study of labor and social hierarchy? The women are rendered with a focus on their activities and roles, highlighting their economic function, while the man's presence hints at the broader socio-political context shaping their lives. Boursse’s choice to observe and document these everyday moments invites us to reflect on the intersections of identity, labor, and cultural exchange during the expansion of global trade networks. This drawing encourages reflection on the lives and experiences of those often marginalized in historical narratives.