Seated Woman Working on a Tapestry 1620 - 1676

This is Abraham Bosse’s etching of a "Seated Woman Working on a Tapestry.” The image offers a window into the world of 17th-century French domesticity. Bosse was deeply interested in depicting contemporary life, particularly within the middle class. The woman’s attire and occupation speak to the values and expectations placed upon women of her social standing. She is elegantly dressed, yet engaged in a form of “productive” leisure. Tapestry work, as a genteel occupation, allowed women to demonstrate refinement and skill, without transgressing social boundaries. The basket of yarn at her feet suggests both abundance and the tools of her trade, hinting at the economic underpinnings of domestic life. However, Bosse goes beyond a simple portrayal of domestic bliss. The text below the image hints at a deeper emotional narrative, possibly alluding to themes of love, longing, or the complexities of female experience. The window in the background situates her in relation to an outside world she might be observing, but not necessarily participating in.