Jules Ferdinand Jacquemart
The Washerwoman of Menton
1877
Physical Qualities
Watercolor over black chalk, with scraping, on paper, Sheet: 288 x 226 mm. (11 5/16 x 8 7/8 in.)
Credit Line
The George A. Lucas Collection, purchased with funds from the State of Maryland, Laurence and Stella Bendann Fund, and contributions from individuals, foundations, and corporations throughout the Baltimore community
Object Number
1996.48.18818
Often considered a forerunner of Impressionism and a key proponent of japonisme, the contemporary craze for Japanese art, Jules-Ferdinand Jacquemart was a founding member of the Société des aquarellistes français in Paris. Of poor health throughout his life, he spent his winters in the small village of Menton on the French Rivera, where he captured local life with his fluid, expressive brushwork.
This young washerwoman is flatly rendered against a clear blue sky, revealing the influence of Japanese prints. Kneeling piously, her gaze is turned heavenward in silent prayer. The white linen in her hands recalls an altar cloth or the shroud that received Christ’s crucified body. Religious motifs lend this mundane scene a spiritual, transcendent quality.
The Baltimore Museum of Art by purchase, 1996; The Maryland Institute College of Art,
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
through Henry Walters, Baltimore, by bequest 1909; from George A. Lucas, Paris
Jay Fisher et al, 'The Essence of Line: French Drawings from Ingres to Degas,' The Baltimore Museum of Art, June 19-Sept. 11, 2005; circulated to Birmingham Museum of Art and Tacoma Art Museum through Sept. 2006.
Sona K. Johnson, BMA, Baltimore, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," circulated by Brain Trust to Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, January 11-February 16, 2003; Sakura City Museum of Art, Chiba, February 27-March 30, 2003; Okazaki City Museum, April 5-May 18, 2003; Suntory Museum, Osaka, May 24-July 6, 2003; Miyazaki Prefectural Museum, July 12-August 17, 2003.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Watercolors and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection', July 24-Oct. 14, 1990.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'The George A. Lucas Collection', Oct. 12-Nov. 21, 1965, p. 67, no. 335.
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, "Exhibition of Paintings, Bronzes and Porcelains from the George A. Lucas Collection," 1911, p. 38, no. 180.
Sona K. Johnson, BMA, Baltimore, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," circulated by Brain Trust to Yamanashi Prefectural Museum of Art, January 11-February 16, 2003; Sakura City Museum of Art, Chiba, February 27-March 30, 2003; Okazaki City Museum, April 5-May 18, 2003; Suntory Museum, Osaka, May 24-July 6, 2003; Miyazaki Prefectural Museum, July 12-August 17, 2003.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'Watercolors and Drawings from the George A. Lucas Collection', July 24-Oct. 14, 1990.
The Baltimore Museum of Art, 'The George A. Lucas Collection', Oct. 12-Nov. 21, 1965, p. 67, no. 335.
The Maryland Institute, Baltimore, "Exhibition of Paintings, Bronzes and Porcelains from the George A. Lucas Collection," 1911, p. 38, no. 180.
Sona K. Johnson et al, "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art," Tokyo: "Barbizon and Impressionist Works from The Baltimore Museum of Art" catalogue committee, 2003, no. 91, p. 121, ill.
Fisher, Jay McKean, et al. The Essence of Line: French drawings from Ingres to Degas. University Park, PA: Pennsylvania State University Press, 2005, p. 272-73, ill.
Inscribed: RECTO: LL, ink, 'J Jacquemart A Menton 77'; VERSO: C, graphite, '22 29/20 22/42-51' [crossed out]; 46 99/ [?]; RC, graphite, '9'
