Painting My Wife and Daughter 

Willard Metcalf painted this domestic scene of his wife and daughter with oil on canvas at some point during his career. We see here a moment of quiet domesticity. Mother and daughter sit side-by-side in the sunlit interior, both engaged in needlework. This image speaks volumes about the social roles and expectations of women and girls in turn-of-the-century America. This was a time when women's lives were largely confined to the domestic sphere. Their identities were closely tied to their roles as wives and mothers. The act of needlework itself carries historical weight, as a skill passed down through generations of women. It was both a creative outlet and a practical necessity. What sources can we use to understand the position of women in American society at this time? Archival materials like letters, diaries, and census records can provide valuable information about their daily lives. This artwork’s meaning is contingent on that social context.