Blanchisseuse Collection

Laundry woman of fine linen at Rouen
5855679 Laundry woman of fine linen at Rouen.; (add.info.: Laundry woman of fine linen at Rouen. It's not the tall bavolet bonnet that is remarkable here so much as the hair chignon held up in)

Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Blanchisseuse; Washerwoman; Wascherin (engraving)
7194946 Le Vocabulaire Illustre: Blanchisseuse; Washerwoman; Wascherin (engraving) by European School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Blanchisseuse; Washerwoman; Wascherin)

La blanchisseuse, 1886-87 (oil on canvas)
3729483 La blanchisseuse, 1886-87 (oil on canvas) by Toulouse-Lautrec, Henri de (1864-1901); 93x75 cm; Private Collection; Photo eChristies Images; French, out of copyright

Laundry (chromolitho)
732553 Laundry (chromolitho) by French School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Laundry.); Look and Learn / Barbara Loe Collection

La Blanchisseuse, c 1900. Artist: Theophile Alexandre Steinlen
La Blanchisseuse, c 1900. From a coloured etching by Steinlen. 1901. From The Studio Volume 22. [The Offices of the Studio Ltd. London, 1901]

Fish Shop and Laundry Boat at the Quai de la Megisserie, c. 1670 (gouache on paper)
XIR171519 Fish Shop and Laundry Boat at the Quai de la Megisserie, c.1670 (gouache on paper) by French School, (17th century); Musee de la Ville de Paris, Musee Carnavalet, Paris

Picture No. 11073803
The forested protected Northern Range Mountains near Blanchisseuse, Trinidad

Picture No. 11073802
The forested protected Northern Range Mountains near Blanchisseuse, Trinidad

Family on Washing Day
A French blanchisseuse leans over the tub while her daughter pegs things out to dry and her little boy blows bubbles

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"Blanchisseuse: The Unsung Heroine of Cleanliness and Care" From the bustling streets of Paris to the tranquil riverside scenes, the blanchisseuse has long been an emblem of hard work and dedication. Whether depicted in engravings, oil paintings, or chromolithos, these washerwomen have left an indelible mark on art history. In Théophile Alexandre Steinlen's masterpiece "La Blanchisseuse, " we witness a moment frozen in time. With delicate brushstrokes, he captures the essence of this laborious task - clothes swirling in soapy water as steam rises from boiling cauldrons, and is a testament to their unwavering commitment to cleanliness. But it is not just within the confines of a laundry room that we find these diligent women and can be seen along riverbanks too, where fish shop and laundry boats coexist harmoniously. These floating sanctuaries serve as both workplace and home for laundresses who tirelessly scrub away dirt from linen while fishermen sell their catch nearby. The contrast between dirty linen and clean linen becomes symbolic in many artworks featuring blanchisseuses. In James McNeill Whistler's "The Laundress, " we witness two women engaged in their daily routine - one surrounded by piles of soiled garments while her counterpart proudly displays freshly laundered linens. It serves as a reminder that even amidst grime and sweat, beauty can emerge through diligence. Yet beyond artistry lies reality; ReBUS reminds us with its poignant message: CI-GIT LA Vendetta Surannée (Here Lies Outdated Vengeance). This clever play on words hints at societal changes that impacted these hardworking individuals over time. Let us not forget those who dedicated themselves to this noble profession - launderers or lavandières whose tireless efforts ensured our clothes were spotless before they adorned our bodies. Their contributions may have gone unnoticed by some, but their impact on our daily lives is immeasurable.