Workers' Daughters on the Outer Boulevard (Illustration for Émile Zola's "L'Assommoir") 1877 - 1878

"Workers' Daughters on the Outer Boulevard (Illustration for Émile Zola's 'L'Assommoir')" is a pen-and-ink drawing by Pierre-Auguste Renoir. Created in 1877-78, this artwork is a captivating depiction of Parisian life during the late 19th century, showcasing a group of working-class women in their daily routine. It serves as an illustration for Émile Zola's novel "L'Assommoir," a realistic portrayal of poverty and hardship in the working-class districts of Paris. The drawing, now housed at the Art Institute of Chicago, captures the gritty realism of the era through Renoir's skillful use of line and shading, bringing the characters and their environment to life with striking immediacy.