Kantwerkster aan het werk 1825 - 1835

Jean-Baptiste Madou made this print of a lacemaker at work, sometime in the 19th century. The work is characterized by an interesting spatial construction, using strong tonal contrast to carve out the form. The artist employs a clever juxtaposition of light and dark, drawing our eye through the composition. Note how Madou uses the doorway as a frame within a frame, creating a stage for the lacemaker. The figure is bathed in soft light, which emphasizes her contemplative posture. She becomes the focal point of the print. Meanwhile, the texture of the aged brickwork and the rough-hewn steps offer a tactile contrast to the woman's smooth face, drawing attention to her humble occupation. The artist uses the semiotic system to comment on the dignity of labor. The woman is working in front of a dark interior, seemingly in poverty; yet, the figure has a classical, composed air about her. The artwork asks us to consider what it is that we value and how we define social status.