Laundress 1861

"Laundress" (1861) by Jean-François Millet depicts a woman pouring water into a large wooden tub, likely for laundry. This intimate scene, painted in a realist style, captures the simple, yet essential, tasks of rural life. The subdued colors and soft lighting create a sense of quietude, highlighting the woman's focused effort. This work is a classic example of Millet's focus on portraying the dignity of labor and the everyday lives of ordinary people, a theme prominent in the Barbizon school of painting. It's currently housed at the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.