Drie handwerkende vrouwen 1865 - 1913

This sketch of three working women was created by Bramine Hubrecht, a Dutch artist born in the mid-19th century. Hubrecht, who came from a well-to-do family, devoted her life to art, in contrast to the expected social norms for women of her time. Hubrecht's choice to depict working women brings to mind the broader societal shifts of the late 1800s, a period marked by industrialization and changing roles for women. However, her focus goes beyond mere documentation. It is intimate. The sketch appears to capture a moment of quiet concentration, a shared space of labor. Hubrecht seems less concerned with idealizing her subjects than with capturing their humanity. Consider how the women are positioned close together; is this proximity a necessity, or does it speak to an unspoken bond? The quick lines and unfinished quality evoke a sense of immediacy, bringing us closer to their world. Through this emotionally evocative piece, Hubrecht quietly challenges the traditional, often romanticized, portrayals of women.