Nuns in the cloister work room

Nonnen im klösterlichen Arbeitsraum
(Nuns in the cloister work room)
Henriette Browne, 19th century

The placement of the four nuns gives us a great sense of depth, and the washbasin on the right helps to anchor the painting. Dim rooms remind us that it could be rather dark inside without electricity, and the large (starched?) hats jump out as rather period-specific.

Naturally, it's painted by a woman. Henriette Browne seems to be the pseudonym of traveller and French diplomat's wife Sophie de Bouteiller.

Die Pfahlbauerin (the lake dweller)

Die Pfahlbauerin (the lake dweller)
Albert Anker, 1873

A woman holding a baby looks out across an expanse of water, where we seem to see a boat or other dark objects in the distance. The wooden plats she sits on, barefoot, highlight the rustic nature of the scene.

Combing (Toulouse-Lautrec)

Combing 

Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1891

The light colors of an early morning, or late evening, and arms that pull at the edges of a loose nightgown as a woman combs and twists her hair into a braid. Quick strokes of pastels (?) contribute to the impression of a brief moment in time. 

A Box at the Theatre La Grande Loge

A Box at the Theatre La Grande Loge (étude)
Henri de Toulouse-Lautrec, 1896

It's funny how knowing the rest of a painter's repertoire can make you evaluate a given painting in a different light. I'm familiar with Toulouse-Lautrec's portraits of rowdy Parisian life and prostitutes, and it makes me wonder what he imagines between these two staid theater-goers. Why the dark red furnishings and pale white of their faces? Who's the frowning man one box over? Who will come to fill the other seats in this box - their husbands, more lady friends, or some other men? Questions, questions...

Utamaro's Mother-and-Child

Mother-and-Child
Utamaro, 1797 

More Kitagawa Utamaro, who seems to be one of the most prolific court portrait painters of 18th century Japan. The mirror reflects the boy's shaved head and long tail of hair, an interesting choice that draws attention awya from the otherwise obvious highlight: the breasts.

Abenaki couple

Abenaki couple
18th century USA

This undated watercolor from Montreal shows a husband and wife of the Abenaki people, who lived in a region of America called Wabanaki ("Dawn Land"), but now known as New England and Quebec. I'm cuious if the couple were really so matchy-matchy, or if the coloring was an artistic choice on the part of the painter.

Midwives Bathing the New-born Christ

Midwives Bathing the New-born Christ 
Daphni Monastery in Greece, c. 1100 CE

Lovely mosaic, and the artist did a nice job keeping the water flowing and translucent. Is Jesus shown with someone else besides his mother? Unusual!

Portrait de la Femme

Portrait de la Femme 
de Joseph-Désiré Court, 18th century

Pensive but playful. Is that a cliche? The dark background and draping of the shawl emphasize her the light oval in the middle, and her loosely tied hair mimics the loose folds of the shawl. Eye-catching composition.

Portrait of the Artist's Wife

Portrait of the Artist's Wife
Egon Schiele, 1917

I love this, first because she looks like Raggedy Ann all grown up, and second because of the missing patterns on her skirt, and arched shoulders. Her fingers are red at the tips and wovvelly, and her whole appearance is sweet and haphazhard. From One Year One Painting. Your thoughts?