Who painted Washerwoman?

Washerwoman was painted by Charles Jacque in 1850.

Where can I see Washerwoman?

Washerwoman is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Washerwoman?

Washerwoman is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Washerwoman

Charles Jacque , 1850

Washerwoman is a print by the Impressionist artist Charles Jacque. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

About this work

Overview

Washerwoman, created in 1850 by Charles-Émile Jacque, is a print embodying the Barbizon School's emphasis on rural everyday life. The scene focuses on a solitary woman engaged in a mundane task, set amidst a serene natural backdrop.

Subject & Meaning

The print depicts a washerwoman kneeling by a stream, surrounded by trees and hills, highlighting the quiet, laborious aspect of rural life. The artist's attention to the woman's attire and surroundings underscores a commitment to honest representation of daily existence.

Technique & Style

Jacque's background in engraving and potential use of chiaroscuro (implied by the emphasis on light and shadow in similar Barbizon works) likely influenced the print's execution, though specific techniques used in *Washerwoman* are not detailed here.

History & Provenance

Created in 1850 by Charles-Émile Jacque, a French artist with a background in engraving and military cartography, the print's subsequent ownership history is not provided.

Context

*Washerwoman* aligns with the Barbizon School's thematic focus on the everyday lives of rural workers, diverging from more romanticized or aristocratic subjects prevalent in contemporary art.

Legacy

While *Washerwoman*'s direct impact is unspecified, it contributes to the broader legacy of the Barbizon School in promoting realistic depictions of common life, influencing later artistic movements.

Artist & collection

Artist

Charles Jacque

Charles-Émile Jacque (23 May 1813 – 7 May 1894) was a French painter of Pastoralism and engraver who was, with Jean-François Millet, part of the Barbizon School. He first learned to engrave maps when he spent seven years in the French Army.