The Laundresses, from the Volpini Suite

The Laundresses, from the Volpini Suite was created by Paul Gauguin French, 1848-1903, in 1889. This striking example of late 19th-century graphic arts is a zincograph, a printmaking technique similar to lithography that utilizes a zinc plate rather than limestone. Gauguin executed the work in black ink on an unusual chrome yellow wove paper, intensifying the visual contrast and imparting a distinctive, flat decorative quality. This work is one of eleven prints included in the highly experimental suite produced by the artist for his landmark exhibition held at the Café Volpini during the Paris World’s Fair.

Gauguin’s focus on laundresses is consistent with his broader interest in scenes of rustic labor and non-industrialized life he observed during his time in Brittany, France. During this period, the artist was solidifying his move away from Impressionism toward Symbolism, prioritizing synthetic forms and suggestive patterns over direct observation. The composition features figures abstracted through bold outlines and simplified shapes, elements that influenced subsequent generations of graphic artists. The work represents a critical moment in Gauguin’s artistic development as he explored the potential of the print medium to convey ideas and emotion rather than simply depiction.

As an important example of Gauguin's innovative graphic output, this print, officially titled The Laundresses, is held in the renowned collection of the Art Institute of Chicago. The technique of zincography provided a swift and economical means for the 1848-1903 to distribute his radical ideas widely, making these early prints essential records of Post-Impressionist innovation in France. High-resolution images of many of these key works are now often made available by institutions through public domain programs, ensuring the widespread study and appreciation of Gauguin’s groundbreaking contribution to modern art.