Karel de grote bij zijn spinnende dochters 1795

Daniel Nikolaus Chodowiecki created this print, “Karel de grote bij zijn spinnende dochters,” the date of which is unknown, using etching. Chodowiecki lived during the Enlightenment, a period that emphasized reason and individualism, yet his work often depicted scenes reflecting traditional social hierarchies. Here, we see an intimate, domestic scene juxtaposed with a formal, public one. On the left, Charlemagne visits his daughters who are engaged in the traditionally feminine task of spinning. On the right, we see a group of men in armor. The contrast underscores the era's complex negotiation of gender roles. While women were often relegated to domestic duties, their labor was essential to the household economy. This piece, made with delicate lines, highlights the tension between public duty and private life, suggesting that even powerful figures like Charlemagne were subject to the expectations and norms of their time. The artwork invites reflection on how societal expectations shape individual experiences, and how we continue to negotiate these tensions today.