The Laundresses

Art Historical Context

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen’s *The Laundresses* (1899) captures a quiet yet powerful moment in the daily lives of working women in turn-of-the-century Paris. Born in Switzerland and active in France during the Belle Époque, Steinlen was deeply engaged with the social realities of the urban poor. While best known for his vibrant posters and illustrations of Montmartre nightlife, he frequently turned to oil painting to portray laborers with dignity and empathy. Here, the artist presents laundresses at their demanding task, highlighting both their physical labor and their shared resilience. Painted in rich oil on canvas, the work reflects Steinlen’s ability to blend realism with a sensitive handling of light and texture. The medium allows for subtle gradations of color that evoke the steamy atmosphere of a washhouse, drawing viewers into an intimate, everyday scene. Created at a time when many artists romanticized or overlooked the working class, Steinlen’s focus on these women underscores his commitment to social observation. Acquired through the Chester Dale Collection, this painting now resides in the National Gallery of Art, where it continues to invite reflection on labor, gender, and the rhythms of city life at the dawn of the twentieth century.

About the Artist

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen · 1859–1923

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen, born on November 10, 1859, in Lausanne, Switzerland, hailed from a family with artistic roots; his grandfather, Christian Gottlieb Steinlen, was a painter and draftsman. After two years studying theology at the University of Lausanne, he trained in industrial ornamental drawing in Mulhouse under Schoenhaupt and worked as a designer trainee at a textile mill. Encourage...