Man en een vrouw sprokkelen hout 1630 - 1700

This anonymous etching from the 17th century, "Man en een vrouw sprokkelen hout," depicts a man and a woman gathering wood. The man carries a basket of branches on his back while the woman bends down to collect more. The artwork is a small etching, measuring 133 mm in height and 103 mm in width. It is housed in the Rijksmuseum, a well-known repository of Dutch art and cultural history. The etching exemplifies the everyday life of ordinary people during this period, showcasing the laborious tasks necessary for survival. The artist's use of etching technique, with its delicate lines and contrasts, creates a realistic portrayal of the scene, highlighting the textures of the clothing, the branches, and the surrounding vegetation.