Woman working within a shed 1869 - 1880

Etienne Delrieux made this print of a woman working within a shed sometime between 1850 and 1950. Observe the shed, and note its structural simplicity. Shelters appear across history and cultures, offering a powerful symbol of protection and enclosure, not just from the elements but also a psychological refuge. Consider the humble pose of the woman. Seated, she’s caught in a moment of domestic labor; a theme resonating with images of women in the Bible, such as Eve or the Virgin Mary. Think about the symbolism of the home in folklore and dreams, often representing the self. In this vein, the woman’s engagement with labor may symbolize personal growth. The emotional weight here lies not just in the depiction of work, but in the connection to the cyclical nature of labor, life, and the deep, often subconscious relationship between individuals and their domestic space.