Artwork
An Old Woman Spinning Silk
An Old Woman Spinning Silk is an oil painting by the British Romanticist artist Margaret Sarah Carpenter. It dates from 1816 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
The background fades into soft browns, so nothing pulls your eye away from her hands.
This quiet painting shows an elderly woman bending over a spinning wheel. Her hands work the silk thread while her face stays calm and focused. The background fades into soft browns, so nothing pulls your eye away from her hands.
The artist, Margaret Sarah Carpenter, was only 23 when she painted this. It was her first known work and shown at a London exhibit in 1816. She later became a well-known portrait painter.
Look up Victoria and Albert Museum to see more of her work.
Overview
An Old Woman Spinning Silk is an oil painting by Margaret Sarah Carpenter, created when the artist was 23 years old. It depicts a serene scene of an elderly woman engaged in spinning silk.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on an elderly woman intently working at a spinning wheel, her hands manipulating the silk thread with calm concentration. The muted background emphasizes her activity.
Technique & Style
The work is characterized by its subdued color palette, with the subject set against soft brown tones that do not distract from her hands.
History & Provenance
The painting was likely exhibited at the British Institute in 1816 under its current title. It may have been reduced in size before being sold, as its original dimensions were reportedly larger.
Context
This early work by Carpenter precedes her later career as a prolific portraitist, with the painting showcasing her skill in a genre scene.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Margaret Sarah Carpenter (née Geddes; 1793 – 13 November 1872) was an English painter. Noted in her time, she mostly painted portraits in the manner of Sir Thomas Lawrence. She was a close friend of Richard Parkes Bonington.
