The New Maid c. 19th century

William B. Closson created "The New Maid," a print, with an unknown date. The print subtly captures the power dynamics inherent in domestic labor. We see a woman, presumably the homeowner, elegantly reclined, as she assesses the new maid standing before her. In the late 19th century, the rise of the middle class created a demand for domestic workers, often filled by immigrant women or those from rural areas seeking economic opportunities. These roles came with the complexities of class, gender, and sometimes racial divides. The woman reclined performs leisure while the standing woman performs labor. The scene encapsulates an intimate moment of evaluation and negotiation of social roles. This print offers insight into the negotiations of identity and status within the domestic sphere of the time. It compels us to consider the labor, lives, and stories of those whose work has often been unseen.