Twee vrouwen, mogelijk met wasgoed Possibly 1870 - 1877

Cornelis Springer sketched “Two Women, possibly with Laundry,” using graphite, sometime in the mid-19th century. During this period in the Netherlands, women often performed laborious tasks like laundry work, which was essential yet undervalued. Springer's sketch offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women, who were often absent from formal artistic depictions. The simple lines capture the weight and weariness of their daily routines. The women’s clothing is rendered with attention to the fabric’s folds and textures, suggesting a realism in Springer's observation. Consider how the lack of individual facial details might reflect a broader societal view where these women were seen as types rather than individuals. In a time of growing industrialization, their labor stood in stark contrast to emerging notions of leisure and domesticity, highlighting the class disparities within Dutch society. This sketch serves as a poignant reminder of the unacknowledged labor on which much of 19th-century life was built.