Artwork
Folding the Linen (Le pliage du linge)
Folding the Linen (Le pliage du linge) is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Édouard Vuillard. It dates from 1893 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Folding the Linen (Le pliage du linge) is a 1893 lithograph by Édouard Vuillard, depicting a serene domestic scene of a woman folding linen, characterized by the artist's distinctive use of flat colors and bold patterns.
Subject & Meaning
The lithograph captures a mundane, intimate moment of daily life, focusing on the woman's hands at work as her back faces the viewer, embodying Vuillard's fascination with quiet, everyday scenes.
Technique & Style
Vuillard's technique in this work reflects the influence of Japanese prints, with an emphasis on flattened spatial planes, bold patterns, and the strategic use of sunlight to create a warm, golden hue on the linen.
History & Provenance
Created during Vuillard's association with the avant-garde group Les Nabis (1891-1900), this lithograph is part of his broader exploration of interior domestic scenes, a common theme in his oeuvre.
Context
Part of a broader artistic movement influenced by Japanese aesthetics, Folding the Linen situates Vuillard within early 20th-century European artists experimenting with new visual languages.
Legacy
As part of Vuillard's body of work, Folding the Linen contributes to the artist's reputation for capturing the beauty in everyday life, with his works, including this lithograph, held in collections like the National Gallery of Art, Washington.
Artist & collection
Artist
Jean-Édouard Vuillard (French: ; 11 November 1868 – 21 June 1940) was a French painter, decorative artist, and printmaker.
