Staande vissersvrouw met mand op het hoofd 1630 - 1664

This is an anonymous etching of a standing fisherwoman with a basket on her head. The image offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women in the early modern period. The fisherwoman, barefoot and burdened with a heavy basket, embodies resilience and strength. We see the intersection of gender and labor, as women took on physically demanding roles in the fishing industry. Note how the print avoids idealizing the woman. Instead, she’s depicted with a certain earthiness, her clothing simple and functional. There is a dignity in her posture, a quiet acknowledgment of the labor she performs. It invites us to reflect on the representation of women's work. How does this image challenge or reinforce societal expectations about gender and class? Consider how the artist's choice to depict her in this way might reflect or challenge the prevailing attitudes toward women and labor.