Woman with a Wheelbarrow ("Femme à la brouette") 19th-20th century

Curator: This is Claude Emile Schuffenecker's "Woman with a Wheelbarrow," held at the Harvard Art Museums. The monochromatic drawing is done in graphite on paper. Editor: Immediately I notice the subdued tonality and the woman's downcast gaze; there's a real sense of the weight of labor conveyed here. Curator: It is compelling how Schuffenecker addresses themes of labor and class, issues prevalent in the late 19th century, which reflects the political concerns and socialist leanings of many artists at the time. Editor: Note also the expressive use of line, particularly around the apron, which creates a dynamic contrast with the relatively smooth handling of the face. Curator: Right, we can also consider how the artist's own politics and connections might've influenced his subjects; he was, after all, close to the Post-Impressionists like Gauguin. Editor: It is amazing how such simple means—graphite on paper—can evoke such powerful emotion. Curator: Precisely, a powerful reminder of the artist's ability to connect us with the struggles of working-class women through visual representation.