Breiende vrouw met aan haar voeten kittens die met de wol spelen 1888 - 1889

Charles Boom created this etching of a woman knitting, titled 'Breiende vrouw met aan haar voeten kittens die met de wol spelen.' It offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere, reflecting late 19th and early 20th century notions of femininity and home life. The woman, positioned by a window, engages in the traditionally feminine craft of knitting. At her feet, kittens playfully interact with her yarn. Boom captures a quiet, intimate moment, yet it subtly speaks to broader social structures. Knitting and other domestic crafts were often a source of income for women, underscoring their economic roles within the household. Simultaneously, the image can evoke a sense of confinement, as the woman is framed within the domestic space. The window might be seen as a threshold between this space and the outside world. This artwork invites us to consider the multifaceted roles women occupied and continue to occupy, navigating expectations around domesticity, labor, and personal expression.