Stapel hout voor een hut 1864 - 1865

Maria Vos made this watercolor, "Stack of Wood for a Cabin," sometime in the 19th century. Vos was working at a time when women artists were gaining more recognition, yet still faced significant barriers. Here, Vos directs our gaze towards a humble, rustic scene. What might seem like a simple depiction of rural life is, on closer look, a statement about value and visibility. The wood, essential for shelter and warmth, is carefully stacked, suggesting labor and preparation. Vos, as a woman artist, had to navigate the structures of her time. By choosing such subject matter, she quietly asserts the worth of the everyday and the importance of those who sustain it. In this quiet scene, Vos mirrors the themes of resilience and resourcefulness, subtly reflecting the challenges and triumphs of women in her era.