Jenny Nyström was one of the most talented artists of her day. She travelled to France after winning a medal in a competition at the Academy of Art in 1881. The medal enabled her to apply for a travel scholarship. She quickly became successful in Paris and some of her works were accepted by the Salon, like this pastel for instance, which was exhibited there in 1885. The motif of the elderly peasant woman was typical of the time with its interest in social realistic depictions.