Arkivism
Minerva visits women who spin and weave
Public domain

Minerva visits women who spin and weave

Bernard Picart · 1717 · etching; engraving; paper

From the collection of Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Free to download, adapt and use — no permission needed.

About this work

Minerva visits women who spin wool and weave cloth. She holds a weaving pattern in her hand and points to women who examine the cloth. Above the loom a spider's web, as a reference to Arachne who was turned into a spider by her. In the background ships that transport the raw materials. The representation is enclosed in an exuberantly decorated cartouche that is crowned by Father Time, the city maiden of Amsterdam and Mercury, the god of trade. Presumably a trade label for a weaving mill in Amsterdam.

Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam’s own description
Credit lineMinerva bezoekt vrouwen die spinnen en weven. 1717. Bernard Picart. Rijksmuseum, Amsterdam. Public domain.

Similar works