Woman Spinning 1615 - 1677

Curator: Look at this print by Thomas Wijck, probably made sometime between 1615 and 1677. It's titled "Woman Spinning". Editor: It’s captivating. The contrast between the woman, so focused on her work, and the hazy background draws you in. The sharp ink lines emphasize her labor and her rough-hewn setting. Curator: Exactly, Wijck captured a moment deeply embedded in the everyday lives of women during that era. Spinning was essential— a skill inextricably linked to a woman’s role in the domestic and economic sphere. This piece offers us a glimpse into that reality, into the lives of those whose labor was often invisible. Editor: I’m intrigued by the use of etching. The lines are delicate, almost fragile, which creates a subtle tension. The texture of the paper becomes part of the artwork itself. We get this direct connection to the artist's hand through this reproducible medium, showcasing his skills but also his ability to turn the mundane into a portrait. Curator: This print offers a fascinating perspective on labor and gender during this period. How a woman’s work was critical yet, paradoxically, devalued or unseen. It allows us to reconsider how value is ascribed and power structures reinforced within art and society. Editor: And the social context too. What kind of wool would she be spinning? Was she working independently or was she bound to her role in her family economy? The labor depicted reminds me that these objects – clothing, linens – are tangible links to labor, skill, and materials, each imbued with history. Curator: Precisely. I always find myself thinking about all of these unrecorded stories. Editor: This simple print speaks volumes, providing a visual texture to a world we've too easily ignored. Curator: For me, it brings awareness to the multifaceted narratives present even in what seems to be simple scenes, like a woman spinning.