Artwork
Man and Woman at a Spinning Wheel
Man and Woman at a Spinning Wheel is an oil painting by the Northern Renaissance artist Pieter Pietersz the Elder. It dates from 1570 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Technique & Style
The painting measures 76 centimetres in height and 63 centimetres in width, reflecting a realistic rendering typical of late sixteenth-century portraiture.
The work is an oil painting executed on wooden panel, depicted as a double portrait showing a man and woman by a spinning wheel. Pieter Pietersz the Elder applied oil paint to the surface, creating a composition that emphasizes the domestic activity of spinning. The painting measures 76 centimetres in height and 63 centimetres in width, reflecting a realistic rendering typical of late sixteenth-century portraiture.
History & Provenance
Pieter Pietersz the Elder painted Man and Woman at a Spinning Wheel in 1570 using oil paint on panel. The work is classified as a double portrait and depicts a man and woman engaged with a spinning wheel. It measures 76 centimetres in height by 63 centimetres in width.
The painting is part of the Rijksmuseum collection in Amsterdam. Specific earlier provenance and acquisition details are not documented in the available sources.
Overview
Pieter Pietersz the Elder’s oil painting, dated 1570, portrays a man and a woman seated before a spinning wheel. The work is part of the Rijksmuseum’s collection and measures the domestic interior with a modest yet detailed composition. Warm reds and earthy hues dominate the scene, while a servant in the background leans against a table, adding depth to the setting.
Subject & Meaning
The central figures engage in the act of spinning, a common household task in the 16th‑century Netherlands that symbolized both labor and the continuity of daily life. The woman, dressed in a black gown with a white collar and cap, holds the spindle, while the man in a brown doublet observes, suggesting a shared domestic routine.
Context
During the late Renaissance, genre scenes depicting everyday activities gained popularity in the Low Countries. Pietersz’s work aligns with this trend, offering a realistic glimpse into domestic life while also showcasing the artist’s skill in rendering light, material, and human interaction.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Pieter Pietersz the Elder (1540–1603) was an artist, born in Antwerp.
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