Follower of Alessandro Magnasco – Nuns at Work Metropolitan Museum: part 2

The composition presents a dimly lit interior space, presumably a convent workshop or refectory. A group of women, clad in monastic habits, are engaged in various manual tasks. The overall palette is dominated by earthy tones – ochres, browns, and muted yellows – contributing to an atmosphere of austerity and quietude.
Here we see several figures seated on simple wooden chairs or stools, their attention focused on activities such as sewing, spinning, and what appears to be the preparation of food. The lighting is uneven; a window high up in the wall allows a shaft of light to illuminate portions of the room while leaving others shrouded in shadow. This creates a sense of depth and emphasizes the figures closest to the light source.
The arrangement of the women suggests a hierarchical structure, with some appearing more senior or engaged in tasks requiring greater skill. One figure stands near the window, seemingly attending to a potted plant on a shelf – a detail that introduces a touch of domesticity within this otherwise austere setting. Another woman is positioned further back, her face partially obscured by shadow, suggesting a degree of detachment or perhaps age.
The artist has rendered the details with a certain roughness and immediacy; the faces are not idealized but possess an individual character, hinting at their personalities and experiences. The objects scattered around the room – baskets, tools, unfinished textiles – add to the sense of lived-in reality.
Subtly, the painting conveys a commentary on religious life and its intersection with everyday labor. It avoids sentimentality or overt piety, instead presenting a realistic portrayal of women performing their duties within a confined environment. The subdued lighting and muted colors contribute to an atmosphere of introspection and quiet devotion. Theres a sense of routine and repetition embedded in the scene; these are not moments of great drama but rather the ordinary rhythms of monastic existence.
The presence of the window, while providing light, also serves as a visual reminder of the world beyond the convent walls – a world from which these women have chosen to separate themselves. The painting doesnt offer an explicit judgment on this choice; it simply presents it as a fact of life within this enclosed space.