Two Washerwomen Crossing a Small Park in Paris c. 1890

Jean-François Rafaëlli's "Two Washerwomen Crossing a Small Park in Paris" (c. 1890) depicts two women walking through a Parisian park. The painting is a snapshot of everyday life in the late 19th century, capturing the mundane reality of working-class women. The women, likely washerwomen based on their attire and a basket carried by one, are realistically rendered in loose brushstrokes, capturing the atmospheric light and color of the scene. Their clothing, the park's trees, and the street's architecture are all depicted with a sense of authenticity, characteristic of Rafaëlli's realist style. The painting is currently housed in the Art Institute of Chicago.