An Elderly Woman Seated by a Window at her Spinning Wheel Eating Porridge Gerrit Dou (1613-1675)
Gerrit Dou – An Elderly Woman Seated by a Window at her Spinning Wheel Eating Porridge
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Painter: Gerrit Dou
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In this painting, there are no complex details: an old woman sits near a table covered with a blue tablecloth and eats porridge from a pot. The pot, as a utensil, is large. Its clear that its broken.
This raises many questions. Why is the old woman eating porridge from such a pot? What kind of room is she in? How did she end up there?
The painting depicts: a brick house, wooden boards on a stone floor, a staircase (leading upwards), a barrel, and a table. On the table is a beautiful, plain tablecloth, with a book, a cauldron (clean, even shiny) and a jug. All these items suggest a noble and educated life, but the following things in the room contradict this: instead of a chair, the old woman has a basket, the pot shes eating from is broken, she has a faded rag on her lap, an old bag hangs on the wall, and theres a broom on the floor. And the old woman is eating plain porridge.
Why the artist wanted to depict such a scene is not entirely clear. But most likely, he wanted to depict noble poverty. And this painting conveys it with absolute accuracy. Its clear that the old woman was better off before – she has a shawl with fur trim on her shoulders and a barrel (probably for wine). Now she even has to sit on a basket because there are no chairs left. The empty cauldron, the empty bag – these are signs of poverty that have surrounded the old woman and led to this existence. Perhaps the spinning wheel near the table is the only way for her to earn a living, even just enough for porridge.
Its possible that Gerard Dou wanted to emphasize the importance of porridge. The porridge itself may not be oatmeal at all, as many believe; it could be any kind – semolina, rice, or something else entirely. Porridge is a very common dish. And there are many ways to prepare it – with water or milk, on a stove or over an open flame, with additions or without.
The large pot and large spoon suggest that the old woman has a good appetite. But through the window, we can see bright light, which means that time is approaching lunchtime, and oatmeal wont be harmful to the old womans health.
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The artist has meticulously rendered the textures of the scene – the rough-hewn wooden floorboards, the coarse fabric of the woman’s clothing, the polished metal components of the spinning wheel, and the glazed surfaces of the earthenware vessels clustered near the window. This attention to detail contributes to a sense of tangible reality. The limited palette – primarily earth tones with touches of blue and grey – reinforces this feeling of quiet domesticity.
The placement of objects within the room is significant. A birdcage hangs near the window, suggesting a connection to the outside world, though the bird itself remains unseen. Several barrels are positioned in the shadows, hinting at stored provisions or perhaps materials related to her craft. The spinning wheel itself occupies a central position, symbolizing labor and self-sufficiency.
The woman’s posture and expression convey a sense of solitude and quiet contemplation. She is not actively engaged with her surroundings; rather, she seems absorbed in her simple act of eating. This introspective quality invites the viewer to consider themes of aging, resilience, and the dignity of everyday life. The darkness enveloping much of the room creates an atmosphere of introspection, suggesting a world both contained and vast.
Subtly, the painting explores the passage of time and the cyclical nature of work and sustenance. The spinning wheel represents ongoing labor, while the porridge symbolizes nourishment and survival. The woman’s age suggests experience and wisdom gained through years of such cycles. Ultimately, the scene evokes a sense of quiet dignity and acceptance within the confines of a simple existence.