Artwork
An Old Woman Spinning.
An Old Woman Spinning. is an oil painting by the Early Baroque Italian artist Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. It dates from 1601 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.
About this work
Overview
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo’s oil painting *An Old Woman Spinning* presents a solitary figure absorbed in a traditional household task. Executed in the early Baroque era, the work captures a moment of quiet labor, emphasizing the dignity of everyday life through a restrained composition that centers the elderly woman against a muted backdrop.
Subject & Meaning
The composition features an aged woman, her white headscarf framing a face marked by time, holding a spindle in one hand and a distaff in the other. Her direct gaze meets the viewer, conveying a solemn presence that invites reflection on the role of women’s work and the passage of years within 17th‑century Spanish society.
Technique & Style
Murillo employs a pronounced chiaroscuro, allowing light to fall on the woman’s hands and face while the surrounding space recedes into deep shadow. This contrast creates a three‑dimensional effect and heightens the tactile quality of the textiles and tools, while the limited palette reinforces the painting’s restrained, contemplative tone.
History & Provenance
Created in 1601, the canvas entered the collection of Madrid’s Museo del Prado, where it remains on display. The painting is part of a broader series by Murillo that records domestic scenes, illustrating his interest in portraying ordinary subjects alongside his more widely known religious commissions.
Context
During the early Baroque period in Spain, artists began to focus on realistic depictions of daily life, especially the experiences of women and children. Murillo’s choice to depict a solitary spinner aligns with this trend, offering a glimpse into the textile practices that were integral to household economies and cultural identity at the time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Bartolomé Esteban Murillo ( mure-IL-oh, m(y)uu-REE-oh, Spanish: ; late December 1617, baptised 1 January 1618 – 3 April 1682) was a Spanish Baroque painter.
