Vrouw bij waterput 1853

Jan Gerard Smits created this print, titled "Vrouw bij waterput" which translates to "Woman at the Well", sometime during his career in the 19th century. At this time the Netherlands was undergoing major societal shifts with industrialization changing the landscape of work, and the roles of women. This print invites us to consider the lives of women within this changing world. The woman depicted here is engaged in a fundamental, physically demanding task: drawing water. We see the labor and the simplicity of rural life, a life in contrast to the burgeoning industrial centers. The image feels both timeless and immediate. Smits captures a moment of everyday life, yet it's framed with a soft, almost romantic light. Consider the weight of that bucket, the endless trips to the well, and the quiet strength of women who performed these tasks, day in and day out. It's a quiet testament to the enduring spirit and labor of women in a rapidly changing world.