Dame bij spinet 1798

Abraham Delfos created this etching entitled 'Dame bij spinet' or 'Lady at the Spinet' sometime between 1731 and 1820. It captures a woman, likely of the Dutch upper class, caught in a moment of musical engagement. During the 18th century, artistic talent was a desirable attribute for women, reflecting both status and marriageability. Yet, beneath the surface, gendered expectations limited women's access to advanced musical education, composition, or public performance. So, is the woman a serious musician or merely performing womanhood? Consider her gaze, slightly averted, lost in the score. Is she conveying the emotional depth of the music? Is she present, or is she merely an image of womanhood? The composition presents us with a glimpse into the intersections of gender, class, and artistic expression in the 18th century. This image subtly unveils the complexities and the lived experience of women in the arts during this time.