Washerman Collection

Sinhalese washerman, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Creator: Christian Wilhelm Allers
Sinhalese washerman, Kandy, Ceylon, 1898. Portrait of an elderly man with hair ornament. Singhelese in Kandy. From " Rund um die Erde", by C. W. Allers

Rag washer, between 1912 and 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing. Rag washer, between 1912 and 1917. Creator: Harris & Ewing
Rag washer, between 1912 and 1917. African American man with industrial machine

Woman Washing, c. 1934 (watercolor)
7276859 Woman Washing, c. 1934 (watercolor) by Johnson, Malvin Gray (1896-1934); 45.72x30.48 cm; Amistad Research Center, New Orleans, LA

The Laundress, 1885 (oil on canvas)
7276973 The Laundress, 1885 (oil on canvas) by Tanner, Henry Ossawa (1859-1937); 49.53x65.41 cm; Amistad Research Center, New Orleans, LA

Johannisberg Castle, 1837 (engraving)
7268717 Johannisberg Castle, 1837 (engraving) by Martini, Johann Georg (1785-1842); 20.0x29.0 cm; JMK Archiv, Bremen, Germany; (add.info.: Image caption Das Schloss Johannisberg, From Kunstanst. d)

Laundry Maids, 1926 (oil on canvas)
7216659 Laundry Maids, 1926 (oil on canvas) by Vejrych, Rudolf (1882-1939); (add.info.: Rudolf Vejrych was a Czech painter)

Two laundry women outside a starchers shop. 1831 (engraving)
7234780 Two laundry women outside a starchers shop.1831 (engraving) by Rowlandson, Thomas (1756-1827) (after); Private Collection; (add.info)

La Cote D Azur: Nice, Les blanchisseuses (b / w photo)
7162750 La Cote D Azur: Nice, Les blanchisseuses (b/w photo) by French Photographer, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Nice, Les blanchisseuses)

Some Indian Sporting Notes (engraving)
1044471 Some Indian Sporting Notes (engraving) by English School, (19th century); Private Collection; (add.info.: Some Indian Sporting Notes)

An Eastern Imbroglio, a Tale of Two Stockings (chromolitho)
1051322 An Eastern Imbroglio, a Tale of Two Stockings (chromolitho) by Boyd, Alexander Stuart (1854-1930); Private Collection; (add.info.: An Eastern Imbroglio, a Tale of Two Stockings)

Disappearing Milan, The Blacksmiths Pusterla Which Was Ahead of Its Contrasted Demolition (Colour Litho)
2798321 Disappearing Milan, The Blacksmiths Pusterla Which Was Ahead of Its Contrasted Demolition (Colour Litho) by Beltrame, Achille (1871-1945); Private Collection; (add.info.: Milan Disappearing)

Dbobies washing clothes in the Goomti River, near Lucknow, India, 1900s. Artist: Underwood & Underwood
Dbobies washing clothes in the Goomti River, near Lucknow, India, 1900s. Stereoscopic slide. Detail

SOME INDIAN SPORTING NOTES, 1883; The bait ready, Quail Snaring with Trained Cattle, Jackal Hunting, Washerman at Work

Indian Dhobie with his miniature donkey
Indian Dhobie (washerman / laundryman) with his miniature donkey, bearing quite a load!

An Indian Dhobi
An Indian dhobi or washerman. Often Dhobi wallahs will live and work at the laundry and pass their jobs down through the generations

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The art of the washerman comes to life through various captivating pieces from different eras and regions. From the Sinhalese washerman in Kandy, Ceylon, captured by Christian Wilhelm Allers in 1898, to the woman washing in a delicate watercolor from around 1934. The laundry maids depicted in an oil on canvas painting from 1926 showcase their tireless work ethic. Even centuries ago, laundry women were essential figures as seen in an engraving depicting two laundry women outside a starcher's shop back in 1831. The significance of this profession is further emphasized by an oil on canvas piece titled "The Laundress" dating back to 1885. Traveling across borders, we find ourselves at Johannisberg Castle with its enchanting scenery portrayed through an exquisite engraving created in 1837. Moving forward to La Cote D Azur: Nice, Les blanchisseuses (b / w photo), we witness the timeless beauty of French laundresses against a stunning backdrop. Artistic imagination takes us into intriguing stories like "An Eastern Imbroglio, " where two stockings become protagonists within a tale brought to life through chromolithography. Meanwhile, Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec captures the essence of brothel life with his oil on cardboard masterpiece titled "Brothel Laundryman" from 1894. Not limited to paintings alone but also photographs that freeze moments forever; Underwood & Underwood present Dbobies washing clothes in the Goomti River near Lucknow, India during the early twentieth century. Through these diverse artworks spanning time and space, we gain insight into the world of washermen/women - their dedication and contribution often overlooked but now celebrated for their integral role throughout history.