Laundresses
Circa 1898
- Period Late 19th century – Early 20th century
- CategoryGenre Painting
This is one of the most important works in Abram Arkhipov’s oeuvre. Painted in a refined silver-grey colour scheme, it was created following the artist’s visit to the laundries at the Smolensk Market in Moscow. His wide plastic strokes freely mould form, subordinating the uncoordinated movements of the women to the single encompassing rhythm of their labour. The figures are immersed in a dense and poisonous light-aerial environment saturated in moisture and toxic fumes. While reflecting the inhuman work conditions of the laundresses, the work also presents Arkhipov with an interesting and complex painterly task, one that he resolves masterly. Russian Museum: From Icons to the Modern Times. Palace Editions, St Petersburg, 2015. P. 223.