Oude vrouw warmt zich samen met kind aan test met gloeiende kooltjes 1627 - 1687

Matthys van den Bergh created this etching of an old woman warming herself with a child by glowing coals sometime in the 17th century. The image hints at the realities of poverty and aging in the Dutch Golden Age. This work uses stark realism to depict the hard lives of the lower classes. The figures' worn faces and simple clothing highlight their economic struggles. The glowing coals, a humble source of warmth, symbolize both their poverty and resilience. Made in the Netherlands, a major center for printmaking, it reflects the era's growing interest in everyday life and social commentary. To understand this work fully, we can turn to the era's social histories, economic records, and popular literature. These resources shed light on the conditions that shaped both the artist's vision and the lives of his subjects. Art like this is contingent on social and institutional contexts, and it’s our job as historians to dig deeper.