Laundress 1902

Pasquale Celommi created ‘Laundress’ with oil on canvas, and what strikes me first is the warmth of the palette. It’s all earthy reds, creams, and browns, giving the image a closeness, like an old photograph. There’s a process of layering and building up of form here, especially in the rendering of the hands. The texture of the paint is smooth but deliberate, not quite concealing the brushwork. Look at the detail in the woman’s face, the rosy cheeks, the soft, rounded forms, and how these contrast with the more detailed areas like the scarf or the wooden tub. Her hands, immersed in the soapy water, are the central focus. It’s a testament to everyday labour, but painted with a tender eye. This is reminiscent of Millet, but with more of an Italian light. Celommi wasn’t afraid to embrace sentimentality, and that makes his work very human. There’s a deep sense of connection here, between the artist and the woman, between us and the painting, across time.