Who painted Les Lavandières (Washerwomen)?

Les Lavandières (Washerwomen) was painted by Eugène Cicéri in 1875.

Where can I see Les Lavandières (Washerwomen)?

Les Lavandières (Washerwomen) is held by Cleveland Museum of Art.

What movement is Les Lavandières (Washerwomen)?

Les Lavandières (Washerwomen) is associated with Impressionism.

Can I buy a print of Les Lavandières (Washerwomen)?

Museum-quality prints of Les Lavandières (Washerwomen) are available made-to-order from Artifact World Gallery.

Artwork

Les Lavandières (Washerwomen)

Eugène Cicéri , 1875

Les Lavandières (Washerwomen) is a drawing by the Impressionist artist Eugène Cicéri. It dates from 1875 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.

Accession no.: 2015.454
Credit line: Bequest of Muriel Butkin

About this work

Overview

Les Lavandières, a drawing executed in 1875 by French artist Eugène Cicéri, is part of the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art. The work depicts a tranquil riverside setting where women are engaged in the routine task of washing laundry, set against a modest rural backdrop of a thatched building, trees and a sky mottled with clouds.

Subject & Meaning

The composition presents a slice of everyday rural life, focusing on female labor at a riverbank. Women are shown either bent over the water, scrubbing garments, or seated in small wooden boats, emphasizing the communal nature of the chore. The scene conveys a sense of quiet industry and the timeless rhythm of domestic work in a natural environment.

Technique & Style

Cicéri employs loose, fluid strokes that blend hues to suggest the play of light on water and foliage. The drawing’s softened edges and subtle tonal transitions create a lived‑in atmosphere, reflecting the artist’s interest in rendering ordinary moments with a naturalistic yet slightly impressionistic sensibility.

History & Provenance

Created in the late nineteenth century, Les Lavandières entered the Cleveland Museum of Art’s holdings at an unspecified date, where it remains on view. The work is representative of Cicéri’s broader oeuvre, which often explored genre scenes and landscapes, documenting French rural customs of the period.