Curatorial notes
Guillaume Saint made this drawing of spinning women in the 1700s using pen and brown ink on paper. The focus is on the spinners' tools, particularly the spinning wheel. Saint captured the intricate details of this machine that was crucial to textile production at the time. We can almost feel the rhythmic motion of the wheel and the practiced movements of the spinners' hands. The act of spinning was more than just a practical task; it was deeply interwoven with women's labor, social structures, and economic realities. The drawing reminds us of the sheer amount of work involved in producing textiles before industrialization. The women are portrayed in a state of skilled labor, their bodies and minds engaged in this time-consuming activity. By focusing on materials, making, and social context, we gain a deeper appreciation for the drawing and the skilled work it depicts.
