Five women labourers at the roadside 1662

Esaias Boursse created this sketch of five women laborers with graphite and grey wash on paper. The figures are rendered with delicate lines, giving their draped clothing a sculptural quality. The material is modest, but the subject matter is anything but. In depicting these laborers, Boursse directs our attention to the working class, an unusual move for a fine artist of his time. The choice of graphite and grey wash on paper allows Boursse to capture the subtle gradations of light and shadow, emphasizing the women's physical presence and lending them dignity. The sketch-like quality hints at his process, perhaps capturing a fleeting moment observed during his travels. What elevates this image is the artist's choice to immortalize these women. Boursse moves beyond traditional portraiture, reminding us that art can be found in the everyday lives and labor of ordinary people.