Twee vrouwen die netten boeten, te Katwijk aan Zee 1899

Jan Toorop created this print titled 'Two Women Mending Nets, Katwijk aan Zee' using etching. During Toorop's time, the Netherlands was undergoing rapid modernization, which brought about significant social and economic changes. As you observe the fisherwomen in the print, consider the intersection of gender, labor, and identity. What does it mean to depict these women engaged in the act of mending nets? Traditionally, this was unpaid labor. Through art, the unseen labor of women, essential to the fishing industry, is made visible, giving it recognition. Toorop's print offers a glimpse into the lives of working-class women and their contributions to society. It prompts us to reflect on the representation of women and their roles in shaping their communities and national identity.