Bukkende vrouw die objecten in haar schort verzamelt 1876 - 1901

Gerrit Willem Dijsselhof made this pencil drawing of a woman gathering objects into her apron in the late 19th or early 20th century. The image, though simple, speaks volumes about the social conditions of the time, particularly the role of women in Dutch society. Dijsselhof was deeply involved in the Arts and Crafts movement. In contrast to industrialisation, this was an artistic and social movement which aimed to promote authentic craftsmanship in a range of applied arts. We can read the figure in this drawing as representative of a desire to return to pre-industrial ways of living. This image presents a romantic vision of simple agrarian life in the Netherlands. It represents a moment of harmony between women and nature. The Rijksmuseum's archives and other period documents can provide more context. Art history is as much about understanding the society in which the work was produced as it is about the image itself.