I am currently reading a book about Rembrandt called "Rembrandt's
Eyes" by Simon Schama. In it there is a painting by Caravaggio - The
Death of the Virgin - painted in 1605-06. The group of monks that
commissioned this painting refused it because Mary has bare feet in
it, and the connotation of bare feet was felt inappropriate - even
though the Carmelites who commissioned it were an order who went
around in bare feet at that time. So perhaps the bare feet of the
woman in the painting we are discussing could have had both meanings
and therefore open to interpretation.
Nita in Calgary on a cool windy day.
On 17-Sep-11, at 4:03 PM, Jean Eke wrote:
In the booklet, 'Highlights, The Wallace Collection' published by
The Trustees of the Wallace Collection, 2003
the painting is interpreted thus:
"Dutch paintings of the 17th century often had a moral. In this
small picture, the little lacemaker serves as an example of good
behaviour for a Dutch housewife of the time. The mussels lying at
her feet are a symbol of her virtue as both stay in their shell.
Her discarded shoes suggest she cannot leave the house without them
and so avoids temptation. The broom beside her emphasises her
spotless house. On her richly embroidered cap is an emblem of doves
and clasped hands that tell us she is a loving wife. Lace-making
was also a sign of the virtuous housewife, since it was a long,
laborious process allowing the maker little freedom from
domesticity." !
I hope the Wallace Collection will forgive such a long quote but I
felt I must defend the little lacemaker and advertise a wonderful
Art Gallery in London. They also have Frans Hals, The Laughing
Cavalier, with his wonderful needlepoint cuffs and collar.
Jean Eke in Sussex , England, on a chilly , wet & windy late evening.
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