Twee vrouwen, beiden met muts 1803 - 1841

Editor: Here we have "Twee vrouwen, beiden met muts," or "Two Women, Both with Bonnets," created sometime between 1803 and 1841 by Johannes van Cuylenburgh. It's a print, likely an engraving. Both women look rather somber; what do you make of this image? Curator: Somber is one word. Pensive perhaps. Or maybe simply... waiting? I’m drawn to the quiet dignity they exude, despite what must have been, at the time, rather ordinary lives. Look at the woman on the left, leaning against what appears to be a windowsill. Her gaze is averted. I wonder what she’s thinking about, or waiting for. Don’t you think she almost expects something? Editor: I do, actually. Her pose makes her look introspective. Do you think it represents something particular about women during that time? Curator: Perhaps. The bonnets suggest a certain social class, maybe domestic service or working-class women. These were lives largely undocumented. But van Cuylenburgh sees their humanity, their inner lives. He immortalizes their moments of reflection, maybe quiet rebellion. What do you read into her being next to the window, which could be considered liminal space? Editor: Interesting point about the liminality of the space, but I also notice that their garments are rather simple, yet the artist dedicated lots of effort to rendering them, like an ode to women of the period. Curator: Exactly! I think that's where the piece shines. And thinking of that level of devotion… do you believe his care dignifies the women or renders them more relatable? Editor: I think dignifies. I didn’t notice that level of depth at first. Seeing them more clearly now shifts my perception. Thanks. Curator: My pleasure. Now that your perception has changed, does their shared 'somberness' still hit you the same?