Twee studies van vissersvrouwen 1827 - 1891

Johannes Bosboom created these two watercolor studies of fisherwomen in the Netherlands, sometime in the mid-19th century. Bosboom was primarily a painter of church interiors, but this work shows his interest in the lives of ordinary people. During the 1800s, Dutch artists began turning their attention to the lives of peasants and working-class people, partly out of a growing social awareness. The Netherlands in this period was undergoing significant economic and social changes; industrialization and urbanization caused old ways of life to disappear. Bosboom's quick sketches capture the women's clothing and posture, hinting at their labor and social role. Art historians can use sources like census records, local histories, and costume books to understand the lives of these women. By placing art within its social context, we can better appreciate its role in reflecting and shaping cultural values.