Vrouw met doek over haar arm, achter haar staat een mand op de grond 1630 - 1715

Salomon Savery created this etching of a woman with a basket sometime in the 17th century. Notice the dominance of line in this work; it’s a network of strokes defining form and texture. The stark contrast and fine lines lend the figure a somewhat harsh, almost grotesque quality, yet there's also a certain realism. The composition is simple, almost frontal, focusing entirely on the figure and her immediate surroundings. This directness creates an intimate viewing experience. Savery uses etching to destabilize idealized beauty standards. He presents the woman not as an allegorical figure but as an individual with a story etched into her very being. The basket suggests a mundane life, labor, and perhaps poverty. The lines around her face and clothing speak of wear and hardship, challenging conventional representations of women during this period. The emphasis on line is not merely a technical choice but a deliberate act of revealing the raw, unvarnished reality of human existence. The artwork serves as a potent reminder that art can be a powerful tool for challenging prevailing norms and inviting us to reconsider our perceptions of value, beauty, and representation.