The stitcher of lace trimmings for women's dresses 

Silvestro Lega painted "The Stitcher of Lace Trimmings for Women's Dresses" using oil on canvas. The painting depicts a woman engaged in lacemaking, a craft deeply embedded in the social fabric of 19th-century Italy. Lega, associated with the Macchiaioli movement, captured scenes of everyday life. This intimate portrayal of a lacemaker provides insight into the lives of working-class women. Lace production was often a cottage industry, offering women a means of economic independence, albeit within strict social constraints. The image creates meaning through its naturalistic style, a hallmark of the Macchiaioli. These artists often reacted against academic conventions. This choice to depict a common scene, elevates the ordinary and invites reflection on the social conditions of the time. Art historians can delve into local archives, census records, and trade union documents to uncover details about the role of lacemaking.