Vrouw met fruitmand in venster 1888 - 1891

This is "Woman with fruit basket in window", a work by Willem Steelink II, created in the Netherlands. Steelink lived through a period of significant social change. This etching offers us a glimpse into the domestic sphere, reflecting the values and gender roles prevalent in Dutch society. We see a woman framed in an arched window with a basket full of fruit. Is she selling this produce or is the fruit for home consumption? Her direct gaze, combined with the curtain she’s lifting, feels like an invitation into her world. In the background there’s a scene of domesticity – women and children gathered in what looks to be a cozy interior. Steelink offers us a layered perspective on women’s roles. The presence of a dead bird hanging next to her is also intriguing. Is it merely an element of still life, or does it symbolize something about the woman’s own constrained existence within the domestic sphere? This work, through its intimate portrayal, encourages us to reflect on the everyday lives and unspoken stories of women in the late 19th century.