De Deugdzame vrouw spint 1555

Dirck Volckertsz Coornhert made this engraving, titled 'The Virtuous Woman Spinning', sometime in the late 16th century. It reflects a moment in the Netherlands when social roles were being debated through art. The print presents us with an idealised domestic scene, but it's also making a statement about the proper role of women in society. The act of spinning was often associated with virtue and industriousness. It reflects the Protestant work ethic that was gaining prominence at the time. But notice how these women are presented, they have muscular physiques like classical sculptures, and this relates to the artist’s humanist interests. Coornhert’s print can be considered progressive, as it emphasizes female labour as a virtuous activity. To understand it better, we need to look at historical texts and other images of the time. That would show us the shifting attitudes towards women, work, and morality in the context of the Dutch Reformation. This artwork reminds us that images are tied to social and institutional contexts, and how important research is to understanding them better.