Oude vrouw, naar rechts 1741 - 1792

Hendrik van Maarseveen etched "Oude vrouw, naar rechts", or "Old Woman, Facing Right," a small yet piercing study of aging and the visibility of women in 18th-century Holland. During this era, Dutch society was defined by rigid social hierarchies which valued the domestic role of women and often marginalized older women. The delicate lines of the etching capture the woman's weathered face and her modest attire, highlighting her humanity and resilience. The level of detail van Maarseveen employs draws you in, encouraging a recognition of the individual. This piece stands as both a quiet act of representation and an intimate portrait, and perhaps even an invitation to reflect on the stories and struggles etched into the faces of those often overlooked.