Vrouw met een rieten mand op de rug 1840

Johannes Tavenraat created this drawing of a woman with a basket in the 19th century, using pen in brown and gray. Here, the artist depicts a woman from behind, focusing on the large wicker basket strapped to her back. The wickerwork shows an interesting combination of materiality and labor. Wickerwork is crafted through interlacing flexible materials like willow, reed or bamboo, transforming simple natural materials into functional objects. Tavenraat captures the texture and weight of the basket through subtle strokes, emphasizing its role in the woman’s daily life. Baskets like these were essential tools for transporting goods, reflecting the physical labor of working-class women. The drawing invites us to consider the social context of the artwork, reminding us that art and craft are intertwined with broader issues of labor, class, and everyday life.