Vrouw met een mand 1782 - 1825

Jacob van Kouwenhoven created this drawing of a woman with a basket, using pen and brush on paper. The sepia ink is thinly applied, yet the artist coaxes a rich range of tones through hatching and cross-hatching. The woman's sturdy basket, which seems almost too heavy for her, is also carefully delineated. You can almost feel the weight of its contents, and her effort, as she gestures outwards with her empty hand. Kouwenhoven seems less interested in idealizing this woman than in representing her labor. The choice of humble materials – paper, pen, and brown ink – speaks to a different tradition than fine painting. They suggest a direct engagement with the everyday realities of working people. It reminds us that art can be found not only in grand displays but also in the quiet observation of ordinary lives, elevating the dignity of labor through simple lines and careful attention.