La Mere laborieuse
1740
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
1740
ink
From the collection of National Gallery of Art
This painting shows a woman working hard. She's doing laundry and taking care of a child. The artist put a lot of detail into the woman's face and hands, which makes her look very tired but still gentle. The woman's expression is what makes this work interesting - it's a quiet moment that tells a lot about her life. The way the artist drew her face and hands shows that he cared about everyday people. You can learn more about this style by looking at the technique: engraving.