Old Woman Unreeling Threads 1665

"Old Woman Unreeling Threads" is a 1665 oil painting by Gerrit Dou. This small, intimate painting is a prime example of the Dutch genre painting known as "tronie." Dou's meticulous attention to detail, realistic portrayal of an everyday activity, and the dramatic use of light and shadow create a sense of immediacy and realism. This painting, now housed in the Hermitage Museum in Saint Petersburg, provides a glimpse into the daily life of ordinary people during the Golden Age of Dutch art.