Caspar Netscher and The Lace Maker

In the 17th century, women were often portrayed as dangerous creatures, prone to vice if left unguided. The Lace Maker stands out as one of the most powerful depictions of idealised female virtue in Dutch art, offering a compelling glimpse into the era's moral landscape. 

For contemporary moralists, one of a woman’s most essential duties was to maintain order and cleanliness in the home, a responsibility here subtly symbolised in this painting by the broom leaning against the wall on the left.  

Clothing in art often holds profound significance, revealing societal values and personal traits. In this painting, the woman’s modest woollen dress is more than just a simple garment, it conveys deeper meanings about her character and the expectations of her time.   

Her choice of a plain, unadorned dress highlights her lack of vanity.  Such modesty was highly valued, reflecting an ideal of female virtue that prized inner qualities over outward appearance.  

The discarded shoes can be connected to domestic virtue, their placement implying the housewife’s acknowledgement of her ‘proper’ role within the home. 

Her intense focus on the meticulous and demanding task of lacemaking demonstrates her seriousness and moral integrity.  

Through this portrayal, the artist underscores her moral rectitude and seriousness, suggesting that her commitment to her craft is an extension of her dedication to her domestic responsibilities.  

In dedicating herself to this intricate craft, she embodies the ideals of patience, diligence and moral uprightness highly valued in 17th-century Dutch society.