Moeder houdt haar dochter vast, die op de vensterbank zit 1842

Willem Linnig the Elder created this etching of a mother holding her daughter, who is sitting on a windowsill, in 1852. Linnig was a Belgian artist, and his work often depicted scenes of everyday life. During the 19th century, women's roles were largely confined to the domestic sphere. This image reflects that reality, portraying a mother and daughter in a simple, intimate setting. Notice how the window frames them, suggesting enclosure and a limited view of the world outside. Both figures are wearing bonnets, which can be read as symbols of modesty and domesticity. The mother’s gaze is soft and gentle, yet there's a hint of melancholy in her eyes. Does she dream of something more for her daughter? While seemingly simple, this etching touches on the complex negotiations of identity, expectation, and emotion that shaped women’s lives in 19th-century Europe. It's a quiet, tender moment, but it also speaks volumes about the social constraints of the time.