Les Levandries (The washerwomen)

Leonard Saurfelt !840-circa 1890, was a French landscape and genre subject painter. This subject sems to be a preferred demonstration of the hard work women endured during the 19th Century he is known to have painted this theme several times, and other concerns regarding market gatherings and similar topics associated with French life. This painting is oil on canvas and displays the accomplished effort of his theme of joint toil among friends the light and shade of the forest shows his mastery of gradation of sunlight. The woodworker in the dilapidated building behind is a touch of generality of the scene and what looks to be a regular visit to known meeting point and a daily exertion of effort.