Artwork
The Mist: Children Round a Fire
The Mist: Children Round a Fire is an oil painting by Barthélemy Menn. It dates from 1859 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Mist: Children Round a Fire is a painting executed in oil paint around 1859 by Barthélemy Menn, a Swiss artist known for advancing plein-air painting and intimate landscape scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a group of children huddled around a fire on a mist-shrouded beach, their dark clothing contrasting with the warm glow of the flames, creating a poignant everyday scene.
Technique & Style
Menn's use of chiaroscuro emphasizes the fire's centrality, casting a warm light on the children's faces while the surrounding atmosphere remains somber and grayish, illustrating his skill with light and shadow.
History & Provenance
The work is now held by the Victoria and Albert Museum, reflecting its significance within Menn's oeuvre and the broader context of 19th-century Swiss art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Barthélemy Menn (20 May 1815 – 10 October 1893) was a Swiss painter and draughtsman who introduced the principles of plein-air painting and the paysage intime into Swiss art.
