Keukeninterieur met twee vrouwen en een kat, in ovaal c. 1643 - 1687

Harmen ter Borch rendered this interior kitchen scene with two women and a cat in the Dutch Golden Age. The Dutch Golden Age was a period of immense economic, artistic, and social transformation. Here, the artist illustrates the gendered division of labour characteristic of 17th-century Dutch society. One woman appears to be working at the hearth, while the other is seated, possibly attending to domestic tasks such as sewing or mending. We are invited to consider the daily routines and social status of women within the domestic sphere. While Ter Borch's representation aligns with traditional depictions of women's roles, it subtly acknowledges the quiet strength and resilience inherent in their daily lives. It’s a glimpse into the emotional landscape of the home, a space shaped by the labour and lives of women. The intimate portrayal invites reflection on the complexities of gender, domesticity, and social order in the Dutch Golden Age.