The Chore 1900

Thomas Pollock Anshutz painted "The Chore" during a time when American art was shifting towards realism, reflecting everyday life and labor. Here, Anshutz captures a woman in a moment of domestic labor. The cloth wrapped around her head suggests both her need to protect herself from the dust and the dreariness of the task at hand. The positioning of the broom creates a sense of dynamism, while the draped fabric softens the scene. What stories does it tell, lying discarded on a simple chair? Anshutz’s painting invites us to consider the gendered nature of labor and the often-overlooked contributions of women in the domestic sphere. It reflects the social expectations placed on women during the late 19th century, while also acknowledging the emotional toll of repetitive, unseen work. The painting serves as a poignant reminder of the human cost of maintaining a home, revealing the intricate relationship between identity, labor, and societal expectations.