Artwork
The Weaver
The Weaver is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Cornelis Gerritsz Decker. It dates from 1660 and is held in the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
Cornelis Gerritsz Decker’s oil painting The Weaver, dated 1660, portrays a modest interior where two figures are engaged in textile work by the light of a fireplace. The scene is rendered in a small format and is part of the collection of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman seated at a wooden loom, carefully threading a needle, while a second figure operates a spinning wheel nearby. A basket, a small dog, and a crock of dishware complete the domestic setting, suggesting a quiet moment of labor and familial routine in a 17th‑century household.
Technique & Style
Decker employs a restrained palette of dark tones, allowing the illuminated faces and hands of the workers to emerge from the surrounding shadows. The chiaroscuro effect creates a sense of depth and focuses attention on the tactile details of the weaving process, while the rough wooden walls and barred window contribute to the overall atmosphere of subdued realism.
History & Provenance
Created in 1660, The Weaver has remained in the public domain and is currently displayed at the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The work’s provenance traces back to the artist’s Dutch workshop, reflecting the period’s interest in genre scenes that document everyday life.
Artist & collection
Artist
Cornelis Gerritsz Decker (1618–1678) was an artist, born in Haarlem.
