Artwork
Woman sewing
Woman sewing is an oil painting by the Realist artist Augustin Théodule Ribot. It dates from 1850 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a woman engaged in the act of sewing, a scene drawn directly from the artist's observation of daily life.
The painting depicts a woman engaged in the act of sewing, a scene drawn directly from the artist's observation of daily life. Created by Augustin Théodule Ribot in 1850, the work focuses on the figure of a woman performing this domestic task. The subject matter highlights the quiet concentration and labor associated with sewing, presenting it as a central element of the composition without additional allegorical figures or complex narrative settings.
Technique & Style
The painting is executed in oil on canvas, employing a restrained, naturalistic palette and closely observed lighting to model the seated woman’s form.
Ribot’s handling emphasizes tactile surfaces and volumetric drapery, with visible brushwork used sparingly to articulate details such as the folds of the woman’s dress and the texture of the fabric she sews. The composition is organized around a quiet domestic interior, where the figure’s focused activity is framed by subdued surroundings, reinforcing a restrained realism.
The overall condition appears stable, with no significant losses reported; the measured support is 46.5 cm tall by 38 cm wide.
History & Provenance
Woman sewing is an 1850 oil painting by Augustin Théodule Ribot depicting a woman engaged in sewing. The work measures 46.5 cm in height and 38 cm in width, created on canvas using oil paint. It was commissioned by Maria Catharina barones van Pallandt and subsequently entered the collection of the Rijksmuseum, where it remains on display.
Woman sewing is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum in the Netherlands. The painting is recorded as belonging to the museum, with its earlier ownership traced to Maria Catharina barones van Pallandt. No specific inventory or accession number is provided in the available sources, and no exhibition history is documented.
Overview
Théodule‑Augustin Ribot, a French painter associated with the Realist school, produced the oil painting Woman Sewing circa 1850. The work portrays a solitary figure occupied with needlework, rendered in a subdued palette that emphasizes the quiet intimacy of domestic labor. It is part of the Rijksmuseum’s permanent collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Théodule-Augustin Ribot (French:; August 8, 1823 – September 11, 1891) was a French realist painter and printmaker.
