Needlepoint 

Robert McGinnis's 'Needlepoint' presents an undated, but modern oil on canvas. It depicts a nude woman seated, absorbed in needlework, and challenges traditional gender roles while engaging with the history of the nude in art. The painting creates meaning through visual codes. In the tradition of the European nude, this woman’s body is on display, but she is actively engaged in domestic craft, subverting expectations. The association of women with domesticity has a long history, especially within Western art. Consider the American context in which McGinnis worked. His image might be a comment on the changing social status of women. Is it self-consciously progressive? The painting's meaning depends heavily on social and institutional contexts. Art historians study these contexts using a range of resources, from census data to exhibition reviews. The value of art resides in its ability to reflect and challenge the social forces that shape our lives.