Artwork
A Dhobi and his wife
A Dhobi and his wife is a paint painting by the Patna School of Painting artist Unknown. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
A Dhobi and his wife is a painting depicting a washerman and his spouse carrying bundles of clothing, exemplifying their occupation.
Subject & Meaning
The work is part of a series of twelve paintings representing various castes and trades, each featuring a man and woman with the tools of their profession, highlighting the daily lives and roles of different occupational groups.
Technique & Style
The artist employed a range of grays and whites to convey depth and texture, with the figures set against a plain white background and standing on a light brown floor, evoking a sense of simplicity and focus on the subjects.
Context
The painting's style is influenced by Romanticism, a movement that emphasized emotion and the human experience, suggesting an empathetic portrayal of the depicted figures.
Artist & collection
Domestic Scene
Giacomo and Cardinal Marco, investing Andrea, Abbot of San Zeno, with his Benefice
The Nymph of Fontainebleau
Portrait of a Woman
Madonna and Child with Saints in the Enclosed Garden
Venus and Minerva
Family Group of Four on Sofa
Wall painting from Room H of the Villa of P. Fannius Synistor at Boscoreale
