The Washerwomen (Les laveuses)
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1889
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This image shows two women bent over a river, scrubbing clothes. The water is busy with their hands, and the scene feels rough and real. The background has a wavy, almost dreamy look—like hills or clouds—but it’s drawn in quick, sketchy lines. The artist used a printing method called lithography, which lets ink sit on flat stone or metal. This makes the lines look soft and slightly fuzzy, not sharp like a drawing. Try looking up lithography to see how it works in other prints.
