Twee vrouwen aan de poort van een hofje 1880 - 1936

René Janssens made this print called 'Two Women at the Gate of a Almshouse' with etching around the turn of the twentieth century. It depicts a view of women passing through a characteristic almshouse, or ‘hofje’, in the Netherlands. The hofje was a typically Dutch form of social housing, usually arranged around a courtyard and funded by private charity. Often intended for elderly women, they offered safe, rent-free accommodation. These almshouses are embedded in the social fabric of the Netherlands, representing a unique approach to welfare. Janssens' print presents a romanticized image of this welfare system, emphasizing its quaint and peaceful atmosphere. To fully appreciate Janssens’ work, one has to delve into the history of social housing in the Netherlands and the role of private charities in providing welfare. By researching the historical context, we gain insight into the cultural values and social structures that shaped the artwork and its reception. The meaning of art is always contingent on its social and institutional context.