Zittend meisje met hoed op en kan in de hand 1790 - 1852

Pieter Christoffel Wonder made this drawing of a seated girl with a hat and jug in the hand in the Netherlands, most likely in the first half of the 19th century. Wonder was active during a period when artists were increasingly interested in depicting scenes of everyday life. This drawing is not just a portrait; it offers insight into the social fabric of the Netherlands at the time. The girl's clothing and the presence of the jug suggest a rural, working-class context. The image presents us with questions about the social structures of the time. Was Wonder commenting on the lives of ordinary people, or was he simply capturing a picturesque scene? Was this art for art’s sake or did it serve a more didactic function? The institutions of art, such as academies and salons, played a significant role in shaping artistic taste and subject matter during this period. The artist would have been acutely aware of this context. To understand the artwork better, one might research the socio-economic conditions of the Netherlands in the 19th century, as well as the artistic conventions and expectations of the time.