Studie van een vrouw met een mand onder de arm Possibly 1815

This is Abraham Johannes Ruytenschildt’s study of a woman with a basket, created sometime between the late 18th and early 19th century. During this time, the Dutch Republic was undergoing significant political and social upheaval, as the ideas of the Enlightenment spread across Europe. In this sepia toned drawing, Ruytenschildt offers us a glimpse into the life of a working-class woman, likely a common sight in the urban landscapes of the time. Her clothing, though simple, is rendered with a sense of dignity, while the basket she carries speaks to the labor she performs. We can speculate about the contents of her basket and the purpose of her journey. The lack of idealization might reflect a broader shift towards realism in art. Ruytenschildt captures not just her physical appearance, but also a sense of her resilience and determination. The image evokes a feeling of empathy and connection to the countless women whose labor has shaped our world.