The Mother and Wife of the Artist Sewing by Lamplight (La mère et la femme de l'artiste cousant à la lumière d'une lampe)

The drawing represent's the artist's wife and mother sewing at a table illuminated by lamplight. The lamp sits on the left side of the table and provides the only source of light that brightly illuminates the faces of the female figures in the dark interior space. Lebourg uses charcoal and white gouache heightening to highlight the contrast between the women and the shadows. The sharp contrast of light and shadow is softened by the stumping of the charcoal and enhances the halo effect of the lamp. The two women are deeply involved in their sewing. Neither of them acknowledges the presence of the artist, which creates a profoundly intimate image.