Studieblad met drie lopende vrouwen, van achteren Possibly 1650 - 1654

Harmen ter Borch created this sketch of three women in pen and brown ink, sometime in the 17th century. During this period in the Netherlands, the roles of women were largely confined to the domestic sphere. Here, Ter Borch offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women. Their figures are rendered from behind, each draped in modest attire, heads covered, and carrying baskets. The positioning obscures their individual identities, seemingly emphasizing their shared social role. The rapid, fluid lines of the sketch suggest movement, capturing the women in transit. There’s a sense of the everyday and the transient, a fleeting moment of women engaged in their daily routines. Do they labor to bring goods to market, or are they simply depicted in transit? The emotional resonance of the sketch lies in its depiction of anonymity and the everyday; it prompts a reflection on the lives of women, whose stories often go unrecorded in history. The piece is a poignant reminder of the importance of recognizing and valuing the contributions of all members of society, regardless of their visibility.