Starching Cotton 1938

"Starching Cotton" (1938) by Bulgarian artist Dobri Dobrev depicts two women in traditional dress performing the mundane task of preparing cotton for weaving. The painting captures the scene in a realist style, showcasing the simple, hardworking life of Bulgarian rural women in the late 1930s. The scene's simplicity is accentuated by the whitewashed wall and the single, blue-framed window, which serves as a backdrop for the activity. Dobrev's subtle brushstrokes create a sense of realism and the warm hues of the painting convey a sense of the sun-drenched environment.