The Arrival of the Wetnurses Étienne Jeaurat (1699-1789)

Here we observe a scene unfolding before a substantial building, likely a manor house or estate. A carriage, draped with fabric to shield its occupants from view, has just arrived, drawn by a horse and driven by a man in livery. The focus of the composition lies on the interaction between the arriving party and a group of women gathered nearby.
Several women are seated on what appears to be a low stone wall or bench, cradling infants. Their expressions range from curiosity to polite interest, suggesting they are residents of the house awaiting the arrival of new additions – presumably children being entrusted to wet nurses. The attire of these women indicates a degree of social standing; their clothing is clean and well-made, though not ostentatious.
The women arriving in the carriage appear similarly dressed, with an emphasis on practicality and modesty. They hold infants, and their posture conveys a sense of responsibility and perhaps slight apprehension as they are handed over to the care of others. The presence of multiple wet nurses suggests that this is not merely one child being delivered but potentially several, indicating a household with significant resources.
The artist has employed a muted color palette dominated by greens, browns, and creams, which contributes to an atmosphere of understated elegance and domesticity. Light falls unevenly across the scene, highlighting certain figures while leaving others in shadow, creating depth and visual interest. The cobblestone ground adds texture and realism to the depiction.
Subtleties within the painting hint at social dynamics and anxieties surrounding childcare practices of the era. The reliance on wet nurses was a common practice among affluent families, but it also involved relinquishing control over infant care to individuals from outside the immediate family circle. This arrangement could be fraught with concerns about the childs well-being, identity, and upbringing. The expressions of both the mothers and the wet nurses likely reflect these complex emotions.
The composition’s framing – the building looming in the background – implies a sense of established order and social hierarchy. It underscores the context of this event as one embedded within a larger system of class and familial responsibility. A small dog at the lower left adds a touch of domesticity, further grounding the scene in everyday life.