Wevende vrouw in een interieur before 1896

This is a reproduction of Constant Puyo’s photograph "Wevende vrouw in een interieur" – or “Weaving Woman in an Interior” – made in the late 19th or early 20th century using the photogravure technique. Puyo, a French Pictorialist photographer from an upper-class background, often depicted domestic scenes featuring women. These images, while seemingly benign, were made at a time of rapid social change and evolving gender roles. As more women entered the workforce and fought for greater autonomy, images like these served to reinforce traditional notions of femininity. Here, the weaver is confined to a domestic interior. Her posture is demure, head bent in concentration as she engages in the traditionally feminine craft of weaving. Yet, there's a quiet dignity in her focus. One senses an interiority that transcends her physical containment. We are left to wonder, what thoughts occupy her mind as her hands work the loom? The photograph offers a glimpse into the complex interplay of gender, class, and artistic expression. It reveals both the limitations and quiet resilience of women in a rapidly changing world.