The Spinner
The Met
Artist: Quirijn van Brekelenkam(Dutch, Zwammerdam (?), after 1622–ca. 1669 Leiden)
Date: 1653
Department: European Paintings
Classification: Paintings
Medium: Oil on wood
Dimensions: 19 x 25 1/4 in. (48.3 x 64.1 cm)
Credit Line: Purchase, 1871
Visual Descriptions
AI GeneratedVisual Summary
Brief Description
An old woman spins yarn at a wooden wheel, an old man sits in a rustic room
Detailed Description
An elderly couple is shown in a dimly lit, rustic interior. The scene is rendered in warm, earthy tones of brown, ochre, and muted grey. On the left, an old woman sits on a low stool, facing right, actively engaged with a large wooden spinning wheel. She wears a dark dress, a white collar, and a dark head covering. Her hands are positioned on the yarn and spindle. Behind her, to the far left, is a tall, arched wooden door, and above it, a small, light-colored recess. Further right, above the woman, a small wooden cabinet with an open door reveals a few items that are indistinct on its shelves. To the right of the woman, an old man sits in a wooden chair, facing forward with his body slightly angled left. He has a long, white beard and wears a dark, long coat and a cap. His hands are clasped, resting on a walking stick held between his legs. The background behind him is darker, showing a winding staircase or archway that recedes into shadow. On the wooden floor in the foreground, several household items are scattered. To the far left, a dark bucket or pot is partially visible on the floor. Near the man's feet, a reddish-brown object, possibly a piece of meat, rests on a white plate on the floor. To the right of that, two more reddish-brown pots or bowls are on the floor, one upright and one on its side. A tall, slender metal object stands on a low wooden block in the far right background. Light appears to originate from the upper left, casting soft shadows across the room.
Generated by gemini-2.5-flash
