Old Woman Sleeping 1653 - 1657

Editor: Here we have "Old Woman Sleeping," a pencil drawing by Nicolaes Maes, created sometime between 1653 and 1657. It's striking how much emotion is conveyed with so few lines. It feels very intimate. How do you interpret the significance of representing aging in this period? Curator: It's important to consider the social context. During the Dutch Golden Age, we see a rise in genre painting and portraiture that depicted everyday life. But within this burgeoning market, the choice to portray an older woman, sleeping no less, diverges from the idealised imagery of wealth and youth. Why focus on this vulnerable moment? Perhaps it’s a subtle commentary on mortality, or even the burdens carried by women in Dutch society. Editor: Burdens? Do you think this could be read as a critique? Curator: Possibly. Think about the institutions and cultural norms of the time. Was Maes trying to engage with or perhaps challenge the prevailing ideas of beauty, status and the representation of women, particularly older women, in art? Maybe, but also there's an interest in just, human vulnerability that might come across. How does this image resonate with representations of older women you’ve encountered in other art historical periods? Editor: That’s a great question... I've mostly focused on images idealizing women in mythology or portraiture. This is very different. I guess I've never thought of the social statement a simple portrait drawing can have. Curator: Exactly. This artwork invites us to question not only the artist's intent but also the role that imagery played in shaping societal perceptions. Hopefully it also gets us thinking about the museums and galleries, that house the artworks. Editor: This has made me see portraiture with totally new eyes! Thank you!