De spinster 1652 - 1662

Nicolaes Maes painted this oil on canvas titled 'The Spinner' in the Dutch Republic, sometime in the mid-17th century. Its humble subject matter stands in contrast to the grand history paintings that were common in other parts of Europe. It depicts an elderly woman, quietly working at her spinning wheel. Maes' choice to portray such a common scene reflects the values of Dutch society at the time. The Dutch Republic was a trading nation, and its art often celebrated the virtues of hard work and domestic life. The woman's age and simple attire suggest a life of toil and frugality, qualities admired in Dutch culture. To understand this painting fully, we can examine how this image of an elderly woman and her spinning wheel creates meaning through visual codes and cultural references. Researching the economic and social conditions of the 17th-century Dutch Republic helps us to understand the painting's original context and significance.