Boerin wast textiel in een emmer c. 1886

Willem Witsen made this etching, "Boerin wast textiel in een emmer," which translates to "Farmer's wife washing textile in a bucket," using a metal plate covered with a waxy ground. The artist scratched an image into the ground and then immersed the plate in acid, which bit into the exposed metal, creating an image. The print depicts a woman outdoors, bending over a bucket, diligently washing clothes. The image speaks volumes about the labor involved in textile maintenance, a task far removed from the industrialization that was beginning to transform the textile industry at the time. This piece reveals a stark contrast with the rise of mechanized production. Witsen's choice of etching allows for detailed lines and tonal variations, capturing the weight of the wet fabric and the humble setting. The print elevates a common scene of daily labor to the realm of art, prompting viewers to consider the social context and the value of work often unseen.