Corsican Washerwomen

British-American artist and writer Clare Leighton gained notable fame for her wood engravings of male and female workers. Her print production reached its height during the 1920s and 30s, a period when Europe and the United States experienced increasing industrialization and urbanization. According to Leighton, “the true character of a people is to be found in its workers.” The wood engravings displayed here represent the cultures of Corsica and Majorca through quotidian activities of the two Mediterranean island communities. The artist’s deep admiration for physical labor is expressed in both of these images, which present a nostalgic view of rural life through the washerwomen and bean winnowers who diligently complete their work.

In addition to being an artist, Leighton was the author of several self-illustrated books. Many of the themes about rustic life that characterize her wood engravings are also present in her writing. Her best known texts, The Farmer’s Year (1933) and Country Matter (1937), celebrate the importance of agriculture in early 20th-century England. In addition to being an artist, Leighton was the author of several self-illustrated books. Many of the themes about rustic life that characterize her wood engravings are also present in her writing. Her best known texts, The Farmer’s Year (1933) and Country Matter (1937), celebrate the importance of agriculture in early 20th-century England.