Drie vrouwen en een jongen c. 1650

Harmen ter Borch created this pen and brown ink drawing, "Drie vrouwen en een jongen," which translates to "Three women and a boy," at an unknown date. This candid domestic scene offers a glimpse into the gendered division of labor in 17th-century Dutch society. While the women are carrying goods and performing domestic tasks, the boy is captured in a moment of youthful indiscretion, perhaps a commentary on the different expectations placed on young boys and girls. The woman carrying a heavy barrel over her head contrasts with the seated woman, who might represent different stages or classes in a woman’s life. The quick, informal strokes of the drawing style imbue the image with a sense of immediacy and authenticity, inviting viewers to reflect on the daily lives and social roles of women and children in the Dutch Golden Age. This drawing serves as a reminder of the diverse experiences within historical communities, and the ways in which artists like ter Borch captured these nuances.