Dienstmeid, op de rug gezien 1893

George Hendrik Breitner drew this sketch of a maidservant, seen from the back, on graph paper with charcoal. This informal sketch gives us insight into the domestic labor that underpinned Dutch society. Breitner often depicted working-class figures, reflecting his interest in the lives of ordinary people in rapidly urbanizing Amsterdam. The maidservant, a common figure in Dutch households, represents a social class often overlooked in more traditional portraiture. Her anonymity in this sketch – we only see her back – further emphasizes her position as a background figure in society. Understanding this artwork requires considering the social structures of the Netherlands at the time, the role of domestic workers, and Breitner’s artistic choices in representing them. Historical documents, census records, and studies of Dutch society can shed light on the lives of these individuals. This drawing invites us to reflect on the unsung labor that shapes our daily lives.