Artwork Page for Washerwomen

Details / Information for Washerwomen

Series Title: L'Estampe Originale

Washerwomen

1893

Auguste Louis Lepère

(French, 1849–1918)
publisher

Andre Marty

(French, b. 1857)
Culture
France, 19th century
Medium
color softground etching and aquatint with etching
Support
Measurements
Image: 38 x 21.5 cm (14 15/16 x 8 7/16 in.); Plate: 39.3 x 22.7 cm (15 1/2 x 8 15/16 in.); Sheet: 45.9 x 25.5 cm (18 1/16 x 10 1/16 in.)
Credit Line
Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Prasse Collection 1955.451
Catalogue raisonné
Lotz-Brissonneau 91
State
III/III
Public Domain
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Location
Not on view
Print

Description

Here, Auguste Lepère presented a pair of laundresses ascending steps from a wash boat on the Seine River, where they could pay to clean the loads they had collected. A receptacle for various types of waste, the river was a source of public concern for the unsanitary environment in which laundry was done. Lepère evoked these difficult working conditions by juxtaposing a youthful laundress with one who has spent time in the industry. The figures’ mirrored poses and their contrasting bold and muted tones suggest the passage of time as they carry out their work—a message emphasized by the artist’s caption at upper left: “Youth passes quickly. Virtue!”
A vertically oriented color softground etching and aquatint depicts two women on an outdoor staircase. In the foreground, an older woman with light skin and a tan dress looks down, carrying a large sack. Further down the stairs, a woman with red hair and a red patterned blouse looks back toward our left. Red script at the top left reads "Jeunesse passe vite. Vertu!...", and trees appear in the pale background.

Washerwomen

1893

Auguste Louis Lepère, Andre Marty

(French, 1849–1918), (French, b. 1857)
France, 19th century

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