Marie de Roode Heijermans' 1897 Painting 'Victime de la misère' and Its Historical Censorship

Dutch artist Marie de Roode Heijermans (1859-1937) created the painting 'Victime de la misère' (The Victim of Misery) in 1897, depicting a young woman in a scene suggesting prostitution. The work was exhibited at the Brussels World Exhibition but was removed after King Leopold II of Belgium deemed it offensive. Heijermans unsuccessfully challenged the removal in court. In the late 1920s, the Stedelijk Museum in Amsterdam acquired the painting but later stored it in the basement following criticism over its subject matter and use of public funds. The painting has since been featured in several exhibitions exploring women artists and social themes, including 'As you Will: Women artists in Belgium and The Netherlands (1500-1950)' and 'Love for Sale' in Amsterdam. Heijermans studied at the Royal Academy of Art in The Hague and the Academy of Visual Arts in Rotterdam, and was a member of the Cercle des Femmes Peintres in Brussels.