In winter 1880

Daniel Ridgway Knight painted "In Winter" during the late 19th or early 20th century, capturing a moment of rural life on canvas. Knight was an American artist who spent much of his career in France, drawn to the charm and simplicity of peasant life. The painting presents three women in a snow-covered landscape, each carrying the tools and burdens of their daily existence. We can read the scene as a reflection on the lives of working-class women in rural France, whose labor was essential to the functioning of society, yet their stories and perspectives often remained hidden. Knight's portrayal invites us to consider the dignity and resilience of these women. The whiteness of the snow can be read as a symbol of the harsh conditions of their lives, but also the purity of their spirit. "In Winter" does not shy away from the realities of labor but elevates the everyday experiences of these women.