An Old Woman Dozing over a Book c. 1655

Nicolaes Maes's "An Old Woman Dozing over a Book" (c. 1655) depicts an elderly woman in a simple, domestic setting, leaning over a book and seemingly falling asleep. The subdued lighting and intimate composition create a sense of quiet contemplation and the passage of time. Maes was known for his genre paintings depicting everyday life, often infused with psychological depth, and "An Old Woman Dozing over a Book" exemplifies this style. The work's focus on a solitary figure in a moment of repose invites viewers to consider the nature of aging, contemplation, and the fleeting nature of consciousness.