Old Womens' Remedies (plate 6)

Art Historical Context

"Old Womens' Remedies ( 6)" is a lithograph by French artist Charles Émile Jacque, in 1843. in black ink on ivory wove paper, this measures 23.1 × 16.8 cm, part of a larger sheet, and belongs to the Art Institute of Chicago's Prints and Drawings. Jacque, a prominent 19th-centurymaker associated with the Barbizon School specialized in vivid depictions of rural life, often focusing on peasants, animals, everyday scenes with a keen eye for detail and textureLithography, the medium here, was revolutionary in the 1840s, allowing artists like Jacque to draw directly on lithographic stone for nuanced, tonal effects that mimicked drawing. This plate likely captures folk healing practices among elderly women in the countryside—a nod to traditional "old wives' remedies" passed down orally—reflecting mid-19th-century France's blend of Romantic nostalgia and emerging Realism. Jacque's precise lines and subtle shading evoke the grit and warmth of peasant existence during a time of social change. As plate 6 in a series, it highlights Jacque's mastery in affordable printmaking, making art accessible beyond elite circles. Visitors will appreciate how this modest yet evocative work preserves a slice of vernacular culture, inviting reflection on timeless community bonds.