Accession Number1973/2.78
TitleThe Laundress
Artist(s)Aristide MaillolArtist NationalityFrench (culture or style)Object Creation Date1896Medium & Supportbronze Dimensions 4 1/8 in x 10 7/8 in x 7 13/16 in (10.5 cm x 27.6 cm x 19.9 cm);4 1/8 in x 10 7/8 in x 7 13/16 in (10.5 cm x 27.6 cm x 19.9 cm)
Credit LineMuseum PurchaseSubject matterEarly in Maillol's career, he created many small sculptures of female figures, usually nudes. (See 1985/1.27) This example is unique, because it depicts a clothed figure engaged in a particular task – a laundress. He used a similar subject matter in other media: painting, drawing, prints and wood carving. In this sculpture, his treatment of the folds and swirls of her clothing shows his particular interest in the expressive quality of line.
Physical DescriptionThis bronze sculpture depicts a female figure kneeling, bending forward with her arms outstretched. She grasps a long piece of cloth that is stretched on the ground in front of her, as she looks directly at the cloth with intent. The woman is wearing a long skirt, which covers her legs and feet and swirls around her on the ground. Her blouse has flowing sleeves that end at the elbows, leaving her forearms bare. Her hair is pulled back and gathered into a knot. The bronze has a dark green patina and the surface of the statue is smooth and polished.
Primary Object Classification Sculpture Primary Object TypecastingAdditional Object Classification(s)SculptureCollection AreaWesternRightsIf you are interested in using an image for a publication, please visit
http://umma.umich.edu/request-image for more information and to fill out the online Image Rights and Reproductions Request Form.
Keywords
bronze (metal)
kneeling
laundresses
women (female humans)