A Mistress and her Maid 1665

"A Mistress and her Maid" is a 1665 oil painting by Dutch Golden Age master Pieter de Hooch, currently residing in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, Russia. The artwork depicts a common scene of domestic life in the Netherlands, portraying a wealthy mistress, seated and sewing, being attended to by her maid. The composition's strong sense of depth is achieved through the use of perspective, with the checkered floor tiles leading the viewer's eye into the courtyard. De Hooch’s masterful use of light and shadow, and the inclusion of domestic objects and furniture, contribute to the realism and intimacy of this genre painting.