Jungfrauen Arbeit, Kunst, und Fleiss 1730 - 1745

Paul Decker the Younger created this engraving, "Jungfrauen Arbeit, Kunst, und Fleiss," likely in the early 18th century. It shows a well-to-do woman teaching a younger girl to draw, highlighting the virtues of work, art, and diligence for young women. But the image also subtly reinforces social hierarchies. The setting is domestic and private, reflecting the expected sphere for women of this period in Germany. The girl's education in art is framed not as a path to professional artistry, but as a refinement, a demonstration of her family's status and her own accomplishments. Even the items in the scene, like the portrait on the wall and the flowers, reflect the family’s values and social standing. To fully grasp its meaning, we need to consider the history of women’s education and the role of art academies at the time. Research into domestic life, gender roles, and artistic patronage in 18th-century Germany can give us insight into the image’s complex social and institutional context.