Dame bezig met naaiwerk 1736 - 1792

Editor: This etching by Johann Simon Negges, "Dame bezig met naaiwerk" – a woman engaged in needlework – from the late 18th century… there’s a certain quiet dignity to the woman, but also something… domestic, maybe? I’m struck by how a simple, everyday activity is elevated. What do you see in this piece? Curator: I see the careful preservation of cultural memory. The act of sewing, a skill passed down through generations of women, speaks to a continuity of tradition. How does the woman's clothing speak to you? Editor: Her dress looks quite elaborate, doesn’t it? It feels less like simple utility and more like a demonstration of skill and status. Is the act of sewing also symbolic of creation and maintenance within the domestic sphere? Curator: Precisely. Needlework wasn't just a chore, it was a space for women to express creativity, tell stories through patterns, and subtly display economic standing. Note the use of lace—the lace bonnet and shawl create interesting highlights around her face. And look closely: What feeling is invoked by the almost fragile fabric in her hands? Editor: I’m guessing this reflects a woman’s domain. It reminds me how seemingly small gestures encode an entire world of meaning about women’s roles, and social expectation. Curator: Indeed, through visual symbols embedded in daily routines. Images like these act as vessels carrying meaning through time, revealing cultural memory and unspoken social realities. What a deceptively rich narrative contained in such a simple scene, don’t you think? Editor: Absolutely. I hadn't considered all of the symbolism wrapped up in such a quotidian activity! It really changes my perception of the work.