Oudere vrouw in werkkleding, naar links 1685

Sébastien Leclerc I made this print of an older woman in work clothes, sometime between 1637 and 1714. It presents us with an opportunity to think about the depiction of labor and social class in art during that period. Made in France, this image uses the visual codes of the time. Consider how the woman's clothing signifies her status. What can we tell about her social standing from her attire, and the way she carries herself? Leclerc may be commenting on the social structures of his time by depicting a working-class woman with such directness. Was Leclerc progressive in his representation, or was he simply documenting the world around him? These are the questions a historian of art might ask. By looking into the clothing and social customs of 17th and 18th century France, we can better understand the meaning and implications of this print. The meaning of art is contingent on its social and institutional context.