De spinster 1652 - 1662

Nicolaes Maes's "De spinster," painted between 1652 and 1662, depicts a solitary elderly woman spinning yarn in a dimly lit room. Maes, known for his mastery of light and shadow, uses chiaroscuro to create a sense of intimacy and realism. The woman's focused expression and the simple yet evocative setting capture the quiet dignity of everyday life in 17th-century Dutch society. This genre painting, typical of the Dutch Golden Age, offers a glimpse into the domestic world and the work of ordinary people.