Zittend meisje 1814 - 1859

"Zittend Meisje" or "Seated Girl" was etched by David van der Kellen in the 19th century. Born in Rotterdam, van der Kellen lived during a time of significant social change in the Netherlands. The work depicts a girl seated in a chair with a thoughtful expression, and raises questions about the representation of women in art during that era. In what ways do images like this reflect societal expectations, gender roles, and power dynamics? Van der Kellen’s choice of subject matter and his artistic approach, invite us to consider the emotional and psychological dimensions of the girl’s experience. We can contemplate how art shapes or reflects societal issues, and we can acknowledge the individual humanity in each historical representation, considering that the emotional and personal dimensions of the piece may be lost.