Twee mannen stampen was in een ton Possibly 1649

This drawing by Harmen ter Borch, made with pen on paper, shows two men tamping laundry in a washtub. Though it may seem like a simple domestic scene, the drawing's brisk lines and the figures' physical exertion speak volumes about the labour involved in early modern life. The technique used is minimal, yet effective in capturing the weight and texture of the wooden tub and the damp cloth within. Consider the repetitive motion implied, the endless cycle of washing, drying, and wearing. Ter Borch elevates this mundane activity by depicting it with the same care and attention often reserved for more traditionally 'artistic' subjects. The drawing reminds us that art can be found in the everyday, in the materials and processes that shape our lives. By focusing on the labor involved, Ter Borch challenges our understanding of what is considered worthy of artistic representation, blurring the lines between craft, labour, and fine art.