Lady at the Dressmaker 

Pietro Longhi made this painting of a lady at the dressmaker in 18th-century Venice, using oil on canvas. The painting portrays a moment of high fashion, and invites us to consider the labor involved. Look closely at the figures. To the left is a seamstress, most likely hand-stitching the very garment being fitted on the young woman at center. The fabric drapes and gathers, softly reflecting light. Notice the layers of lace trimming; these are the result of hours of skilled work by lacemakers, another important part of the Venetian economy. The painter has given us a snapshot of a commercial transaction. A servant stands by with payment in hand. Longhi makes no grand statement but focuses our attention on the production of garments and the social dynamics of consumption. Considering the artistry of the painting itself—the brushwork that simulates texture, the composition that implies so much human activity—we might wonder whether Longhi sought to elevate these everyday scenes to the level of fine art, and to acknowledge the skill of the clothing makers in his society.