Le Retour du Lavoir 1912

Théophile Alexandre Steinlen made this print of washerwomen sometime in the late 19th or early 20th century. Notice how the figures are built up of thin, almost translucent washes of colour. For me, that's where the magic is: the image feels grounded and weighty, yet it’s made from these fleeting, ephemeral marks. The earthy palette of browns and reds, coupled with the scratchy lines, gives the scene a sense of grit. Look at the way Steinlen renders the bags of laundry. They're not just objects; they're heavy burdens, rendered with thick outlines and dense shading. The white of the paper shines through, creating highlights that accentuate the weight and volume of the bags. Steinlen's work reminds me of other artists who celebrated everyday life, like Daumier. But there's also something uniquely his in the way he captures the dignity and resilience of these women. It's a conversation across time, a reminder that art can be both a reflection and a celebration of the human spirit.