Friese boerin met haar dochter 1728

Bernard Picart created this print of a Frisian peasant woman and her daughter at an unknown date. The print is interesting because it participates in a cultural phenomenon that became widespread in the 17th and 18th centuries: the depiction of local customs and costumes. The image shows the woman holding an agricultural tool. The presence of this tool may be a visual reference to the work performed by women in rural Friesland at the time, a region known for its agricultural production. These images of local costumes served as a way for people to learn about the diversity of European cultures. They also played a role in shaping ideas about national and regional identities. To understand this image better, we can look at travel literature, fashion plates, and other visual materials that show how people represented themselves and others in the early modern period. By studying these sources, we can gain a deeper understanding of the social and cultural context in which this print was made.