La Vieille aux Loques

"La Vieille aux Loques", or "The Old Rag Woman", is a moving print created by James Abbott McNeill Whistler in 1858. You can see the artist's masterful use of etching to depict this elderly woman, cloaked in shadow and seemingly lost in her thoughts. Notice the way Whistler uses light and shadow to draw our attention to the woman's weathered face and her clasped hands, expressing a depth of emotion and hardship. The stark contrast between the dark, impoverished setting and the brighter doorway in the background hints at a world beyond her reach. This poignant artwork, measuring 14.8 cm in height and 20.7 cm in width, is a powerful portrayal of age, poverty, and the human condition. It is part of the National Gallery of Art's permanent collection, a testament to its enduring impact on viewers.