Portret van een oude vrouw, bekend als Bayken van Bracht 1890 - 1891

This is Willem Steelink the Second's etching of an old woman, known as Bayken van Bracht. Steelink, born in 1856, came from a family of artists and was known for his landscapes and genre scenes. The print offers a glimpse into the lives of ordinary people, in particular that of an elderly woman. Her clothes, with the ruffled collar and dark bonnet, situate her within a specific class and religious group. The texture of her skin and the set of her mouth hint at a life marked by hardship, while the crispness of her collar suggests an enduring pride. What does it mean to be seen this way? This portrait, with its direct gaze, invites viewers to consider the representation of aging and womanhood in the late 19th century. It asks us to consider the value and visibility of women as they age. What does it mean to look at Bayken van Bracht, to see her on her own terms, and to acknowledge her presence in the world?