Studienblatt_ Frauen bei der Handarbeit 

This is a sketch by Gustav Heinrich Naeke, made sometime in the early 19th century, titled “Studienblatt: Frauen bei der Handarbeit.” During this time, women were often confined to domestic roles, and their identities were largely defined by their relationships to men and their ability to manage a household. This sketch captures women engaged in what was then considered appropriate feminine labor: needlework, perhaps mending or creating garments. However, Naeke's approach avoids idealization. The women are depicted without embellishment, focusing on their quiet concentration. We see the intimate act of women teaching other women these skills. In this way, the piece offers a glimpse into the everyday lives of women, their shared experiences, and the skills they passed down through generations. The act of focusing on women's work, even in a simple sketch, subtly challenges the dominant narrative of the time, offering a space to recognize their contributions and inner lives.