The Lacemaker c. 1656

Nicolaes Maes painted this scene of a woman and child during the Dutch Golden Age, when the Netherlands saw an unprecedented flourishing of art and culture. This painting gives us a glimpse into the domestic sphere, where women like the lacemaker spent a large amount of their time. The child beside her suggests her dual role, both as a craftsperson contributing to the family income, and as a mother. There is a stillness in the scene, which is intensified by the quiet concentration on the woman's face. Maes's choice to center the narrative on a woman underscores the social and economic importance of women's labor in the 17th century. Yet, the intimacy of the scene also subtly reveals the emotional dimensions of domestic life and the bonds between mother and child. While the painting maintains traditional representations of women, it also develops alternative narratives about the emotional and familial dynamics that shape women's experiences. This tableau presents a study of the intersection of work, family, and identity during a time of great social and economic change.