Weaver near an Open Window 1884

Vincent van Gogh painted this scene of a Weaver near an Open Window using oil on canvas. But let's consider the other materials at play here – the wooden loom dominating the composition, and the lengths of thread being interlaced, likely wool or cotton. Weaving was a common trade, but in the late 19th century it was increasingly threatened by mechanization. Look at the size of this loom; this wasn’t factory work, but rather a domestic industry. Van Gogh is clearly interested in the labor of this artisan. The process is front and center: the rhythmic movements, the careful attention, the slow accumulation of weft and warp into fabric. It takes time and skill to produce cloth in this manner, and that is a point that Van Gogh seems keen to emphasize. The rough, dark tones add to the sense of humble toil, a stark contrast to the bright landscape visible through the window, a world apart. This piece urges us to see the value and dignity of craft in an age of industrial production.