Nursemaid 1843

This etching of a nursemaid, was created by Charles Jacque, most likely in the mid-19th century. He was part of the Barbizon School of painters, known for their focus on rural life. In this small print, we see a woman holding a child in what appears to be a simple, rustic interior. The image is made through etching, a printmaking technique where lines are incised into a metal plate, inked, and then printed onto paper. You can see the density of the lines used to create shadow and texture, giving the scene a palpable sense of depth. Jacque, like many Barbizon artists, was interested in the lives of ordinary people, and the labor involved in everyday life. Here, the role of the nursemaid, a common occupation at the time, is presented without idealization. The rough textures and simple setting remind us of the material conditions of labor, and perhaps prompt reflection on our own relationship to work, family, and care.