Artist: Nicolaes Maes
Title: The Old Lacemaker
Date: around 1655
Nationality: Dutch
Pillow: flat back, hard to see details, on lap of lacemaker.
Bobbins: with bulbs on end, on pillow, can't see how many
Comments: It's hard to see much about this lacemaker's equipment, since the view is straight-on. The strip of lace seems quite narrow. You can see scissors hanging down, next to her apron. I don't know whether these would be attached to the pillow, or to her belt. Useful to have them close to hand, either way! It looks as if the lacemaker has her feet on a cushion or padded stool, to raise her lap so the pillow does not slope the wrong way.
Nicolaes Maes painted several other lacemakers.
© Jo Edkins 2017 - return to lace index