Rechthoekige doek met aan de korte kant van de voorzijde twee rode strepen aan weerszijden c. 1836 - 1898

This rectangular cloth with red stripes was made by Susanna Maria van Pabst Rutgers-Linse, sometime during the 19th century. Van Pabst Rutgers-Linse, born into a Dutch society undergoing significant transformations, lived through a period marked by shifting gender roles and expectations, which makes this piece more intriguing. At first glance, it is a simple textile, but the two bold red stripes against the plain weave signal something more profound. During the 19th century, women's artistic expression was often confined to domestic crafts. Van Pabst Rutgers-Linse engages with these traditions, but the starkness and minimalist design of the cloth can be viewed as quietly subverting traditional expectations. The red stripes might represent the subtle acts of defiance women performed within the confines of their expected roles. This piece embodies a quiet, personal rebellion. It reflects the emotional and social landscape of a woman navigating her identity in a world undergoing immense change.