Vrouwen doen de was in een gracht 1837 - 1855

Carel Christiaan Antony Last created this print, "Women Doing Laundry in a Canal," using etching. The women are seen performing laundry in a canal, with one woman knee-deep in the water and another nearby holding a pail. Consider the canal: Water is one of humanity's most vital resources, and this image shows how canals provide sustenance, commerce, and community. The canal has been a symbol of life-giving nourishment and transformation since ancient times. In many cultures, immersion in water signifies cleansing and renewal. The act of laundering is also a signifier of purification, echoing broader themes of cleanliness and order. Images of women at the well or water source can be seen throughout art history, from classical Greek hydria carriers to biblical scenes such as Rebecca at the Well. These representations often celebrate women as life-givers and sustainers of the community, reflecting a deep-seated human connection to water. The motif persists through time, reflecting our changing relationship with the natural world and our ongoing struggle to find meaning in daily activities. The women at the canal are part of this historical continuum, engaging viewers on a deep, subconscious level.