Artwork

Landscape with Washerwomen and Peasants

Landscape with Washerwomen and Peasants, by Jean Pillement, oil, 1796
Landscape with Washerwomen and Peasants, by Jean Pillement, oil, 1796

Landscape with Washerwomen and Peasants is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean Pillement. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Ireland.

About this work

Overview

Landscape with Washerwomen and Peasants is an oil painting from 1796, attributed to Jean-Baptiste Pillement, a French artist known for his Rococo-inspired landscapes. The work captures a serene rural scene with figures engaged in daily activities.

Subject & Meaning

The painting portrays a tranquil rural setting near a river, with washerwomen at work in the water and peasants tending to the fields. The scene embodies the Rococo emphasis on pastoral elegance and refined naturalism, reflecting the era's aesthetic preferences.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil paint, the piece features a palette of earthy tones juxtaposed with pastel colors. Visible brushstrokes impart a textured quality to the work, characteristic of Pillement's delicate yet expressive technique.

History & Provenance

Created in 1796, the painting is now part of the National Gallery of Ireland's collection. Pillement's designs, including possibly this work, were widely disseminated through engravings during his time.

Artist & collection

Portrait of Jean Pillement

Artist

Jean Pillement

Jean-Baptiste Pillement (24 May 1728 – 26 April 1808) was a French painter and designer, known for his exquisite and delicate landscapes, but whose importance lies primarily in the engravings done after his drawings,…