Lise Sewing c. 1867 - 1868

Pierre-Auguste Renoir painted this oil on canvas called "Lise Sewing" sometime in the late 19th century. The painting offers a glimpse into the domestic life of a woman, presumably named Lise, engaged in the everyday act of sewing. In France at the time, class structures dictated that a woman's work, especially needlework, was relegated to the domestic sphere. It was a period of rapid social and economic change, with industrialization altering traditional roles and expectations. The Impressionists, like Renoir, often challenged the established art institutions by depicting scenes from modern life. We might ask if Renoir's choice of subject is a subtle commentary on the changing roles of women or a simple observation of daily life. Accessing historical archives, letters, and social commentaries from the period could illuminate the social context and offer a deeper understanding of the artwork's significance.