This exhibition delves into the forgotten history of women and the role of domestic labor in early 20th-century Warsaw. It highlights the lives and work of thousands of young women who cleaned, cooked, and laundered in the city's homes, often remaining on the margins of historical narratives.
The Museum of Warsaw presents 'Invisible. Histories of Warsaw's Servants,' an exhibition dedicated to the largely forgotten history of domestic workers, primarily women, in early 20th-century Warsaw. At the beginning of the 20th century, approximately 40,000 young women annually performed domestic tasks in Warsaw, touching the most intimate aspects of many families' lives. Their work often occurred behind the scenes, and they remained on the periphery of historical interest, frequently documented only through statistics.
Featuring over 400 objects, including historical items and contemporary artworks, the exhibition is organized into six sections mirroring the journey of a servant from arrival in Warsaw to daily duties, interactions with employers, and the influence of trade unions and philanthropic organizations. The final part examines post-1945 perspectives on domestic work and incorporates commentary from contemporary female artists. The exhibition aims to shift the narrative, placing these women at the center of the story and focusing on the versatile, always-present, yet background figures in interwar Warsaw's urban daily life.