Woman Sewing

The note at the lower right of this painting tells us that it was created in March of 1902. According to his diary, Asai returned to Paris on March 21 after five months in Grez-sur-Loing, from October of 1901. He probably created this painting, for which the wife of the concierge of his apartment building is said to have been his model, right after his return from Grez, when his memories of his journey were still fresh. Each brushstroke is muscular and lucid, clearly communicating the physicality of his model, who is sitting in a chair, sewing. From early in his career, Asai had chosen to paint the human form engaged in farming or other work. In this example, we sense the warmth of the gaze with which he addressed this woman, absorbed as she is in an everyday household task.