De slapende kantwerkster 1795 - 1873

Ignatius Josephus Van Regemorter made this drawing of a sleeping lacemaker, we think in the early to mid-1800s. The picture captures a quiet domestic scene in the Netherlands. We can observe the artist’s society through his attention to the lives of ordinary working people, and in the inclusion of religious iconography in a private home. The lacemaker is shown at rest in a small, sparsely furnished room; a cat plays beside her, and the light is dim. It’s interesting to note the artist's choice to depict a moment of repose, rather than the act of labor itself. This might reflect changing attitudes toward work and leisure in the 19th century. Is the artist romanticizing a simple, pre-industrial lifestyle? We see a clue in the statue of the Virgin Mary, a reminder of the presence of the Catholic Church in daily life. To learn more about the artist's milieu, one could consult local historical records, church documents, and family archives to understand the values and beliefs that shaped the creation of this intimate scene. Only then we can fully appreciate its cultural significance.