The Working Mother 1740

Bernard Lepicié created this print, "The Working Mother," during a period when society was grappling with evolving roles of women, particularly within the domestic sphere. The print offers a window into the life of a working-class woman, a mother, engaged in needlework, assisted by her daughter. Their shared labor underscores the economic realities of the time. The labor of women was essential to the household economy, and the work was frequently passed down through generations. The image invites us to consider the emotional and physical labor involved in this work. Lepicié presents a narrative that both reflects and shapes societal perceptions of women's roles, capturing the delicate balance between labor, family, and societal expectations.