Spinnende vrouw in gesprek met vrouw 1807 - 1823

This print, by Johannes Alexander Rudolf Best, probably dates to the early 19th century, and is made of etching with watercolor. These were inexpensive, accessible materials. The print depicts two women, one actively spinning, using what appears to be a great wheel. The other woman is standing, and appears to be speaking. The act of spinning is central to the image. In the pre-industrial era, textiles were produced through labor-intensive processes, primarily by women. The way the artist made the image – through reproductive printmaking techniques – parallels this. Rather than a unique painting, it is a work created to circulate. The print’s subject matter and its means of production both reflect the social realities of labor and class. The artist acknowledges the value and social position of craft, using methods of production and circulation that speak to wider social issues. So, considering the materials, making, and context really helps us understand the full meaning of this artwork, and how it challenges traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.