Portrait of a Washwoman

American 19th Century

National Gallery of Art

This is a full-body portrait of a woman standing in a slight three-quarter view. Her hands are positioned on her waist and by her side, with a slight lean to her left. She has a neutral expression and her eyes are looking directly at the camera. Her hair is styled in a mid-19th-century fashion, with a middle part and some waves. She wears a checked dress with a fitted bodice and a full skirt, typical of the era. The sleeves of her dress are short with ruffles at the edges. She stands next to a wooden chair that holds a wooden bucket and some cloth items. Her feet are clad in dark shoes peeking out from under her dress. The background is plain, possibly a painted backdrop, with no discernible features, and the floor is covered in a patterned textile. The image is enclosed within an ornate gilded frame featuring intricate floral designs.