Vrouw met een wastobbe voor een huis in Heerde 1890

This print by Richard Nicolaüs Roland Holst captures a scene of domestic life with stark lines. Executed with etching, the work conveys a sense of intimacy through its modest scale and detailed depiction of everyday labour. Notice how Holst uses line and shadow to articulate the form of the woman and the architecture around her. The light catches the rough texture of the building’s facade and the cobblestones on the ground. These formal choices reflect a broader interest in the period with depicting the realities of working-class life. There is no attempt to idealise the scene or sentimentalise the figure. The composition directs our gaze toward the woman, but the surrounding structure provides context, embedding her within a specific social environment. Holst's emphasis on form over idealization challenges conventional notions of beauty in art, inviting us to reconsider the value of ordinary subjects and experiences. This print engages with the socio-political discourse by representing the dignity and hardship inherent in daily life.