La ratisseuse

About this work

This engraving shows a woman sitting on a stool, peeling potatoes with a small knife. She’s dressed simply in a loose dress and cap, and her focus is on the task. Around her are a wooden table with a bowl of peeled potatoes, a basket of more potatoes, and a pot on the table. The title *La Ratisseuse* means "the potato peeler," and the scene looks like everyday life in a kitchen. The artist used fine lines to show light and shadow, making the textures pop. Next, look up engraving to see how artists like this one carved detailed images into metal plates.