Art and Art History Collection (Saskia)

Women Ironing Laungry maids

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Publisher

Saskia, Ltd., Cultural Documentation

Abstract

Among Degas's pictures of women, he fostered an interest over many years in the subject of laundresses. These "women ironing" are far from idealized. Degas's laundresses would have been familiar figures. He shows them sweating away in cramped, dark basements, enabling the well-to-do to have clean, crisp shirts in which to go to the opera, and fresh bed and table linen for elegant sleeping and dining. What Degas conveys is the posture and gesture involved in this menial but skilled work. The arm that lifts and moves the weighty iron contrasts with the woman's other hand, used delicately to maneuver the cloth. As with his dancers, Degas is fascinated by a body so engrossed in activity that it is unselfconscious.

Keywords

Paris, France, Paris, France, Style: French Realist/Impressionist, School: Realist/Impressionist, Movement: Realism/Impressionism, France, Painting;, Painting

Geographic Location

Paris, France; Paris, France

Time Period

Ca. 1884

Type

StillImage

Rights

This material is licensed by USF Libraries for the research and teaching needs of USF students, staff, and faculty only. See: https://lib.usf.edu/collections-and-discovery/collection-management/user-terms/

Access Restrictions

Only thumbnail images and descriptive information are available to non-USF users. Full access to this collection is available only to authorized users on the USF network on campus or via VPN.

Media Type

Paintings; Pictures

Holding Location

University of South Florida

Identifier

A01-PFF0275

Women Ironing Laungry maids

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