Interieur met vrouw en kind aan tafel 1877

Edmond Hédouin made this print of a woman and child at a table using etching, a printmaking technique, sometime in the mid-19th century. The scene depicts a domestic interior, likely in France, where Hédouin was active, and offers a glimpse into the everyday life of a working-class family. The dim lighting and sparse furnishings suggest a humble existence. The woman, possibly the mother, is seated at the table sewing, while the child sits opposite her, perhaps studying or playing. Hédouin's decision to depict this intimate scene reflects the growing interest in Realism during this period. Artists began to turn their attention to the lives of ordinary people, challenging the dominance of historical and mythological subjects favored by the art establishment. The Rijksmuseum holds a large collection of prints and drawings, and has played an important role in preserving graphic arts for public appreciation. To better understand Hédouin's artistic choices, we can look to the socio-economic conditions of 19th-century France, as well as the history of printmaking and its role in disseminating images to a wider audience.