Dienstmeisje haar overrok ophoudend 1685

This drawing of a maid holding up her overskirt was created by Sébastien Leclerc I, a French artist working in the 17th and early 18th centuries. Leclerc, who served as a Royal Engraver, demonstrates the fashion of the era in this piece. However, the drawing also offers a glimpse into the hierarchical structures of 17th century society, especially around gender and class. The maid, who is rendered with a certain elegance, is nonetheless depicted in her role of service. Consider her posture and clothing, each indicating a life of labor and a position within a social structure. This work invites us to reflect on the representation of women and labor in art, and how these images both reflect and shape societal attitudes. It speaks to enduring questions about representation, identity, and the often-unacknowledged labor that supports the wealthy.