Syende pige 1913 - 1917

This is ‘Syende pige’ a drawing by Harald Giersing currently located at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Giersing, living through the turn of the century into the 1920’s, was witness to significant shifts in societal norms and expectations, particularly around gender roles. The image of a woman sewing presents a figure engaged in a traditional domestic activity, but Giersing's style disrupts conventional representation. The sketch is rendered in quick, blue strokes, capturing a fleeting moment. This offers an intimate glimpse into the everyday life of a woman, whose identity remains anonymous. It's worth considering the emotional landscape of the woman depicted: Is there a sense of contentment in her domesticity, or perhaps a quiet resignation? Giersing invites us to contemplate the complex interplay between identity, labor, and the subtle emotional nuances of domestic life.