FRENCH BARBIZON
19th century

Women Washing Clothing by the River's Edge at Golden Hour

18 3/8" H x 30 7/8" W [frame]
14 3/8" H x 26 7/8" W [canvas]

A wonderfully rendered late 19th century example of work by the French Barbizon school of painters, the present work captures that most brilliant time of the day: golden hour when the last vestiges of light pour through the heavy atmosphere of the horizon to light the clouds in a spectrum of flames. Pinks, oranges, purples, brilliant yellows and cold blues are worked with such ease across the sky that it completely evokes or perhaps echoes that feeling the viewer is familiar with of a perfect evening sky. But far from a quaint nostalgic work and true to the Barbizon spirit, the painting captures the difficulty entwined in the simplicity of rural life. An old human-drawn wooden cart sits behind three women that clean the household clothing in the fading light, no doubt just one of a long list of evening chores yet to be completed before any rest or relaxation can ensue. The woods are wild and the meadow untamed beyond a well-worn path from the countless visits the household has made to the water's edge.

The painting is unsigned, but the layering and expert use of color are clearly of a practiced hand.

Condition: Original stretcher in excellent condition, all keys present. Linen is unlined, but tacking edges is reinforced with linen tape. Small old patch to hole verso. Age related craquelure throughout. Several losses throughout with old associated inpainting. Completely cleaned and restored by our conservator: old discolored synthetic varnish removed, all prior inpainting removed, preliminary Dammar varnish, losses filled and inpainted, sealed again with final application of traditional Dammar varnish. Housed in a later giltwood frame with a refreshed surface (rubbing wear/etc.). Ready to place.

ref. 501IZS02P