Tarquinius en zijn spinnende vrouw Lucretia 1789

Jean François Janinet created this print, "Tarquinius and His Wife Lucretia Spinning," using etching and aquatint. The scene depicts the moment when Tarquinius discovers his wife Lucretia engaged in the traditionally feminine activity of spinning, contrasting sharply with the idle behavior of other wives. Made in France, this artwork reflects the 18th-century's fascination with classical antiquity, particularly the moral virtues associated with Republican Rome. This narrative likely served as a commentary on the social structures of the time. It promoted ideals of domestic virtue and industriousness among women, reinforcing the importance of traditional gender roles within the family and society. The imagery is deliberately didactic, using the past to instruct viewers on contemporary moral standards. Historical archives, fashion plates, and conduct books of the period are valuable resources for contextualizing Janinet's work. By looking at these sources, we can better understand the social and institutional forces that shaped its production and reception.