The artwork, titled “The Maids,” was created by Paula Rego in 1987. It belongs to the Expressionism art movement and falls within the genre of genre painting.
The artwork portrays an intimate and detailed scene set in a domestic environment, featuring three maids engaged in various activities. One maid is seated and seems despondent as she looks downward, with another maid standing close behind her, combing her hair, possibly offering some form of comfort or solace. The third maid is perched on a chair, leaning against an armrest, slightly withdrawn yet observant of the scene. The setting includes domestic items such as a vanity table draped with a pink cloth, an orange lamp, and a mirror reflecting part of the scene. The muted, earthy tones contrast with the vibrant reds and pinks of the furniture and the maids’ distinctive uniforms, imbuing the artwork with a sense of tension and melancholy. A small, menacing black animal, possibly a dog, lurks in the bottom right corner, further adding to the underlying unease. Through these elements, Rego encapsulates a rich narrative, exploring themes of servitude, intimacy, and human emotion within a seemingly ordinary setting.
