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The Old Rag Woman, No. 10 from Twelves Etchings from Nature (The French Set), 1858
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The Old Rag Woman, No. 10 from Twelves Etchings from Nature (The French Set), 1858
The Old Rag Woman, No. 10 from Twelves Etchings from Nature (The French Set), 1858. Whistlers first set of prints, the so-called French Set, included domestic and genre scenes, studies of friends and their children, and glimpses of shadowy figures in backstreets, alleyways, and anonymous interiors. His choice of subject and treatment reflected the American ex-patriots awareness of modern realist trends in French art. This print, made after Whistlers return to Paris from the Rhine, describes an old woman silhouetted in a doorway, thrown into relief by a shadowed interior. Bent with fatigue, she sits among bundles of scavenged rags, gathered by the poor and sold to papermakers. The image resonates with the painful combination of aging and urban poverty
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Media ID 19648595
© Heritage Art/Heritage Images
1834 1903 James Mcneill Whistler James Mcneill Whistler American Tonalism
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The Old Rag Woman, No. 10 from Twelves Etchings from Nature (The French Set), 1858
EDITORS COMMENTS
is a poignant print capturing the essence of urban poverty and aging in 19th century France. Created by American artist James McNeill Whistler during his time in Paris, this etching reflects his awareness of realist trends in French art. In this image, an old woman is silhouetted against a doorway, her tired figure contrasting with the shadowed interior behind her. Bent with fatigue, she sits amidst bundles of scavenged rags – remnants collected by the destitute and sold to papermakers for survival. Whistler's mastery of tonalism brings out the emotional depth within this scene. The play between light and dark emphasizes the woman's weariness while highlighting her resilience amidst adversity. Through his careful composition and attention to detail, Whistler captures not only physical exhaustion but also the psychological weight that comes with aging in poverty-stricken urban environments. "The Old Rag Woman" serves as a reminder of society's forgotten individuals who endure hardship silently. It evokes empathy for those struggling at society's margins and prompts reflection on our collective responsibility towards them. This print stands as a testament to Whistler's artistic skill and social consciousness. It invites viewers to contemplate themes of human dignity, compassion, and societal inequality that remain relevant even today.
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