Who painted Woman Carrying Faggot?

Woman Carrying Faggot was painted by Mihály Munkácsy in 1873.

Where can I see Woman Carrying Faggot?

Woman Carrying Faggot is held by Hungarian National Gallery.

What movement is Woman Carrying Faggot?

Woman Carrying Faggot is associated with Realism.

Can I buy a print of Woman Carrying Faggot?

Museum-quality prints of Woman Carrying Faggot are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Woman Carrying Faggot

Mihály Munkácsy , 1873

Woman Carrying Faggot is an oil painting by the Realist artist Mihály Munkácsy. It dates from 1873 and is held in the collection of the Hungarian National Gallery.

About this work

Overview

Created in 1873 by Hungarian realist Mihály Munkácsy, the oil painting *Woman Carrying Faggot* portrays a solitary peasant woman shouldering a bundle of firewood. The work exemplifies Munkácsy’s focus on everyday labor and is part of the Hungarian National Gallery’s collection.

Subject & Meaning

The central figure is a woman in a dark skirt, white blouse, and red headscarf, bearing a heavy load of faggots on her back. Her downcast expression and strained posture convey the physical and emotional weight of rural toil, inviting contemplation of the hardships endured by laborers.

Technique & Style

Executed in oil, the composition employs a muted palette and strong chiaroscuro to emphasize the figure against a dim, indistinct landscape. Munkácsy’s brushwork captures the texture of the woman’s clothing and the roughness of the wood, reinforcing the realism of the scene.

History & Provenance

After its completion, the painting entered the holdings of the Hungarian National Gallery, where it remains on display. Its acquisition reflects the institution’s commitment to representing 19th‑century Hungarian realist art.

Context

Munkácsy, known for both genre scenes and large biblical canvases, produced this work during a period when Hungarian artists were turning toward realistic depictions of peasant life. The painting aligns with contemporary European trends that emphasized social observation over idealized subjects.

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Artist & collection

Artist

Mihály Munkácsy

Mihály Munkácsy (Hungarian pronunciation: ; 20 February 1844 – 1 May 1900) was a Hungarian painter. He earned international reputation with his genre pictures and large-scale biblical paintings.