A Woman Cooking, Plate 3 from "Five Feminine Occupations" 1635 - 1657

Geertruydt Roghman’s etching, “A Woman Cooking, Plate 3 from ‘Five Feminine Occupations,’” depicts a woman in a Dutch kitchen tending to a fire in the hearth. The etching, which dates from 1635–1657, is one of a series that highlights various domestic chores. Roghman captures the mundane tasks of daily life with an air of dignity and respect. The woman’s stance and the meticulously rendered details of the kitchen, including hanging utensils, a chain, and a candlestick, speak to the importance of these tasks. The image's muted tones and use of chiaroscuro highlight the stark contrast between the light of the hearth and the shadows of the kitchen.