The 1890s marked a decade of war, economic crisis, and imperialism. In the midst of this world chaos, from day to day ordinary people lived moment to moment. Women dressed in simple blouses and skirts as they took care of their children, or sat at a desk writing. Just one decade prior, women’s fashion was overtaken by the restrictive bustle. The removal of this fashion item represents many of the changes that were going on with the social expectations of women that were beginning. The fashion of women became more practical, allowing for women to begin entering the workforce and continue to push social limitations. Outside of America, much of the societal expectations of women continued to be that of domestic life at the home. In the 1890s artists used stylistic approaches heavily influenced by the impressionist movement to depict the women of the times, in each social class and stage of life. Through looking at different depictions of women around the world during this time period designed by different artists, there is a unity that can be found in this collective influence of impressionism. Additionally, a better understanding of the life of an 1890s woman can be understood through studying these depictions of the still, day to day experiences. This collection of paintings walks through ages of both womanhood and girlhood, and each class, from peasant to pompous, emphasizing the ordinary, everyday moments of very different lives taking place in unison during this decade.
A Washerwoman at Eragny
Camille Pissarro
French
1893
Oil on canvas
18 x 15 in. (45.7 x 38.1 cm)
Object Number: 64.154.1
metmuseum.org
Camille Pissarro was a French painter who took interest in depicting the ordinary moments that made up peasant life. He spent nearly twenty years of his life in Eragny, France where he painted the lives he witnessed. Here he depicts a woman at work, washing linens out in the French countryside. Pissarro focuses on the simplicity of a working woman’s life. As a core contributor to the French impressionist movement, Pissarro uses short, visible brush strokes of light and bright colors. His technique and use of color brings unity to his composition. The simplicity of the impressionist movement pairs with his drive to highlight the simple joys of the fruit of one's mundane labor. This side of the 1890s woman is one who works to live.
In the Meadow
Auguste Renoir
French
1888-1892
Oil on Canvas
32 x 25 3/4 in. (81.3 x 65.4 cm)
Object Number: 51.112.4
This is one of a series of paintings Auguste Renoir painted between the years of 1888 and 1892. His subject for these paintings is two young girls. In this piece, the girls sit in simple dresses. Their gaze is set upon a bouquet of daisies the one child holds. The view in front of them consists of rolling hills, round trees, and a pale blue sky. In this painting, Renoir uses loose, long brush strokes, which emphasize the emotion of childhood. The style of these impressionist strokes create a dreamlike scene, and evoke a sense of wonder. This painting focuses on the experience of girlhood, and the innocence and wonder experienced in the ordinary experiences of young girls.
For the Little One
William Merritt Chase
American
ca. 1896
Oil on canvas
40 x 35 1/4 in. (101.6 x 89.5 cm)
Object number 13.90
William Merritt Chase was an American painter. In this scene, Chase emphasises the quiet beauty of domestic and maternal life. Depicted in this painting is Chase’s wife in their New York home, sewing something for her son. The color in this painting creates contrast and emphasis on the subject of the painting. He allows the viewer to easily focus on the action of the woman. He too uses the long, visible strokes of the impressionist movement to portray beauty in the peacefulness of an ordinary moment.
Across the Room
Edmund Charles Tarbell
American
ca. 1899
Oil on canvas
25 x 30 1/8 in. (63.5 x 76.5 cm)
Object Number: 67.187.141
Edmund Charles Tarbell was influenced by the work of Jon Vermeer and the French impressionists. This can be seen in his use of brushwork and light in this piece, which he uses to create a sense of unity and cohesion. Here, Tarbell depicts a lounging young upper class woman in a long, silk dress resting in a large, mostly empty room. Tarbell captures a moment which evokes a sense of stillness, rather than of action.
Ernesta (Child with Nurse)
Cecilia Beaux
American
1894
Oil on canvas
50 1/2 x 38 1/8 in. (128.3 x 96.8 cm)
Object Number: 65.49
metmuseum.org
Cecilia Deaux was a female American painter who was heavily focused on capturing moments through portraiture. Deaux was the first woman to teach art at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts. Her study of realism and impressionism is evident in this painting of a young girl and her nurse. In this work, Deaux represents a child, Deaux’s own niece, clutching onto the hand of the woman beside her. This image captures the essence of young life. Her loose brushwork creates a youthful and simple picture of peace, security, and naivety.
The Wyndham Sisters: Lady Elcho, Mrs. Adeane, and Mrs. Tennant
John Singer Sargent
American
1899
Oil on canvas
115 x 84 ⅛ in.
Object Number: 27.67
metmuseum.org
John Singer Sargent was largely focused on painting the aristocrats of the 19th century. This painting depicts the three daughters of the Honorable Percy Wyndham. Sargent paints these women reclining on an elegant, silky sofa—the picture of upper-class elegance and repose. Sargent’s friendship with Claude Monet led him to become heavily influenced by French impressionism which is visible in his stylistic choices in this piece. Combining impressionism with realism, Sargent is able to capture this moment with standard styles and themes of the decade.
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