The Occupations of Women: Chores 1780

Editor: This intaglio print is called "The Occupations of Women: Chores" by Daniel Chodowiecki. It depicts two women indoors, one writing at a table and the other sorting something. It feels very domestic, but also a little… unequal? How do we interpret this scene in terms of social roles? Curator: This piece serves as a window into the 18th-century societal expectations of women. The "occupations" aren't just chores, but rather reflections of class and societal function. Who has the privilege to write versus who is tasked with household duties? Editor: So the print isn't just showing us chores, but commenting on the social hierarchy of the time? The woman at the table looks almost like she's managing the other's labor. Curator: Precisely. Chodowiecki, through his art, is engaging with the politics of imagery, and illustrating the power dynamics inherent in everyday life. It makes one consider who gets to represent whom, and why. Editor: That makes me look at the artwork in a completely new way. Thanks! Curator: My pleasure! It's always rewarding to consider how art reflects—and shapes—our understanding of history.