Vrouw leunend tegen een waterput 1875

Vicomte Arthur-Jean Le Bailly d'Inghuem created this print, "Woman Leaning Against A Well," using etching techniques. During the 19th century, there was increased interest in portraying women within classical and idealized forms. Yet, while the woman’s attire is classical, she doesn't embody conventional beauty standards of the time. Her posture exudes a sense of introspection, drawing viewers into her private emotional space. The print prompts questions about her identity, her role, and her relationship to the setting. Is she a goddess, a peasant, or a figment of the artist's imagination? The answers to these questions encourage an exploration of the intersection of gender, class, and representation in art, inviting us to reflect on the narratives we construct around the figures we encounter in art and life.