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| "Washday" |
A member of my doll group shared the link to an eBay auction for the above painting which, according to the seller, is entitled "Washday." I took a look at the painting and my heart palpitated because of its endearing depiction of a little girl in an outside scene washing her dolls' clothes in an aluminum washtub using a washboard. The previously washed clothes are neatly hung on a clothesline. Her dolls sit patiently as she completes her washday task. This task brought back childhood memories of my mother using a washboard in the bathtub to hand wash clothes. It also conjured up memories of the times as a young girl when I helped an aunt or cousins hang clothes on their clotheslines.
I closed the browser window to the auction page only to return less than an hour later to make an offer to the seller, which was accepted.
The seller's description is copied below:
The framed canvas print did arrive in excellent condition. On the back of the wooden frame is stamped 100 series (which must mean that 100 copies exist). The Artistic Impressions gold seal which bears that name and the serial number shown in the seller's description is in the back center of the frame.
Beautiful vintage Certified (1935819) Artistic Impressions Inc Original Canvas Reproduction Black Americana titled “Washday” #2635. Young girl is washing and hanging her doll’s clothes while they sit in little chairs watching her. There is an artist signature, but I can’t decipher it - see photo. Solid oak wood frame - no glass. It is in excellent condition! 15” x 19”
Additional detailed photos from the auction are shared below:
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| The little washer's dolls are seen seated in two chairs. One appears to be made of cloth. The other one's medium is uncertain, but it too could depict a cloth doll. |
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| Dressed in a red print sleeveless dress worn over a white long-sleeved shirt, with sleeves rolled up, the little washer works diligently to get the item of clothing squeaky clean. Her multiple sectioned-off braids are held together at the ends with colorful rubber bands or small ponytail holders. The previously washed clothing is hung neatly on a clothesline in the background. |
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| In this photo, the seller captured the artist's signature, which is written in gold paint. |
On closer inspection of the artist's signature, it appears to read G. Rose. I have not been able to find additional information about the artist or the company that produced the framed print. I was, however, able to find a place in the doll room to hang the print. Several photos of that location in the doll room are shared next.
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| Washday now hangs in the doll room as illustrated in this photo and the final two. |
The painting fits perfectly in the small area of wall space that is left on a side brick wall of the doll room. Thanks are in order to my husband for hanging it for me and to Dawn S. for sharing the link to the auction.
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Such a beautiful painting! The little girl is so cute and well drawn/painted. I like how focused she is. She is such a good little mother to her dolls. I am glad you were able to purchase it.
ReplyDeleteArlette.
By the way, maybe the second doll is a cloth doll with a face made out of papier-maché or clay and covered with fabric.
I am glad I was able to purchase it, too, Arlette.
DeleteI think your assessment of the second doll is a strong possibility. She might be mixed media.
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The artist is G. Rose
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for providing the correct spelling of the artist's name.
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