Henry A. Farrer (1843-1903)
Washerwoman
1877
Etching
4 3/8 x 3 3/8″ (11.113 x 8.573 cm)
Wetmore Print Collection, Connecticut College
FW-0961
Washerwoman shows a glimpse into the everyday life of a workingwoman in the late 19th century. It’s style and content embody the authentic experience of the hardships associated with class and gender. Farrer is most well known for his landscapes of New York, the Long Island Sound, and the Hudson River where he maintains clear crisp details while this etching demonstrates more of a loose hand. He explores a new subject matter and style, which is influenced by Millet’s Realist work. He takes a step towards investigating the previously neglected changes in society to uncover critical societal issues.
