Twee meisjes 1831 - 1904

Arnoud Schaepkens created this etching called "Twee meisjes"– or "Two Girls" – on an unknown date. It explores the themes of childhood, innocence, and social standing within the context of 19th-century Dutch society. The image presents two young girls, likely sisters given their close proximity and similar features. Schaepkens uses fine lines to create texture and shadow, but the girls’ features and clothing are notably simple. The composition hints at the social values and perhaps the economic constraints of the time. The girls' modest clothing and straightforward poses suggest a middle-class background, far removed from the opulence often depicted in art of the aristocracy. Art historians like myself can learn so much by examining these kinds of images in the context of their time, comparing them with other artworks and consulting archival sources, such as census records, and social surveys, to deepen our understanding of Dutch society and the role of art within it.