Handwerkend meisje, naar rechts 1780 - 1849

David-Pierre Giottino Humbert de Superville sketched "Handwerkend meisje, naar rechts" in graphite, capturing a young girl absorbed in her needlework. The sketch offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere and the roles assigned to women during the 18th and 19th centuries. The girl’s downcast eyes and hunched posture suggest the weight of societal expectations, where a woman’s value was often tied to her ability to perform domestic tasks. There is a sense of quiet resignation in her posture, as if she understands the limited scope of her future. Needlework, while seemingly simple, was a critical component of a woman's education and preparation for marriage. It symbolizes both skill and subservience. The artwork reflects both the intimacy and the constraints of women's lives during that time.