Twee boerinnen bij een boerderij te Groesbeek Possibly 1896 - 1898

Willem Cornelis Rip sketched "Twee boerinnen bij een boerderij te Groesbeek" in graphite on paper. In the late 19th century, images of rural life offered a romanticized view of the countryside and its inhabitants. Here, two women are standing outside a farmhouse in Groesbeek. The setting evokes the traditional roles of women in agrarian societies, where labor and community were central to their existence. The women are simply rendered, suggesting a focus on their place within the landscape rather than individual portraiture. Rip's choice to depict women in this setting may reflect a broader cultural interest in the lives of the working class, while reinforcing traditional gender roles associated with rural life. While Rip's image might seem like a simple depiction of rural life, it carries complex layers of meaning related to gender, class, and the romanticization of the countryside. The sketch invites us to reflect on the identities of the women depicted and their connection to the land.