The good mother (The spinning wheel) 1890

Noè Bordignon painted ‘The Good Mother’ using oil on canvas, capturing a domestic scene of labor. The woman in the painting is spinning wool, a traditional craft often associated with women's work and rural life. The rough texture of the wool is palpable, as Bordignon renders the inherent qualities of the material, its weight and warmth, through the paint. The spinning wheel, though not visible, is central to the action, representing a technology that transforms raw material into something useful. The act of spinning embodies a skilled tradition passed down through generations, connecting this woman to a long history of textile production. But spinning also represents the economic realities of the time. It speaks to the labor-intensive processes that preceded industrialization, hinting at the social and economic structures that shaped women's lives. Bordignon elevates this everyday task to a subject worthy of artistic attention. By focusing on materials, making, and social context, the painting prompts us to reconsider the value and meaning of craft within the broader scope of art history.