Artwork
The Stone Breaker and His Daughter
The Stone Breaker and His Daughter is an oil painting by Edwin Landseer. It dates from 1830 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Stone Breaker and His Daughter is a 1830 oil painting by Edwin Landseer, depicting a laborer and his young daughter in a Scottish Highlands landscape.
Subject & Meaning
The painting shows a weary stonebreaker, exhausted from his work, contrasted with his fresh-faced daughter, who has brought him a meal, conveying a sense of quiet intimacy and highlighting the contrast between their states.
Technique & Style
Landseer's detailed and expressive style is evident in the painting, with careful attention to the figures' clothing and the surrounding landscape, creating a contemplative atmosphere.
History & Provenance
The painting was exhibited at the British Institution in 1830 and is now part of the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection, having been bequeathed by art collector John Jones.
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Edwin Henry Landseer was an English painter and sculptor, well known for his paintings of animals – particularly horses, dogs, and stags. His best-known work is the lion sculptures at the base of Nelson's Column in Trafalgar Square.
