Vrouw met kruiken bij een waterpomp 1882

Charles Mertens created this etching, "Woman with Jugs at a Water Pump," capturing a scene that reflects the daily lives of working-class women in the late 19th or early 20th century. Mertens, born in the Netherlands, was working during a time of significant social change, when industrialization was reshaping societies. Here, a woman is shown kneeling, focused on filling jugs with water. The setting, likely a communal water source, points to a world where basic resources required labor and community interaction. Mertens avoids idealizing his subject; instead, he captures her in a moment of unadorned labor. The artwork invites us to consider the intersections of gender and class, highlighting the often unseen work performed by women, which sustains households and communities. The artist's choice to depict this everyday scene elevates the experiences of ordinary people, offering a glimpse into the realities of their lives. This small etching serves as a poignant reminder of the labor and resilience of women in a rapidly changing world.