The embroiderer or Mette Gauguin 1878

Paul Gauguin painted this portrait of his wife Mette, hard at work with needle and thread. The scene gives us a glimpse into the domestic life of the Gauguins. The rough brushwork and bold colours might lead you to overlook the painstaking work Mette is doing. Embroidery was a common pastime for women, but also a source of income. The fabrics, threads, and the final embroidered piece all speak to a world of labor and production, often overlooked in favor of the ‘high art’ of painting. Think of the hours spent designing, stitching, and the economics of running a household. Gauguin captures a moment of intense concentration, but also prompts us to consider the social context of craft, labor, and the domestic sphere, challenging the traditional hierarchy between art and craft. He highlights the skill involved, and asks us to value women’s work.