Spinning : Italian Scene

Karel Frans Philippeau 1825 - 1897

Summary

In this Italian scene, a lady kneels beside her young child, who lies in a crib in the open air. The boy reaches up to grasp the spindle onto which their maid is winding flax from a distaff. The triangular composition, with the kneeling figure and the infant with his raised arm, recalls a religious grouping. Drawing on his native artistic tradition, the Dutch artist shows his skill at painting diverse objects, such as the shiny earthenware pot, elaborate wicker crib and charming costumes. The hand gestures are elegant. Italian peasants, especially woman and children in picturesque hilltop settings, were a common theme in Philippeau's work, which often included detailed still life objects.