Artwork
Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit
Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit is an ink print by the Romanticist artist Salomon Gessner. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit is a black-and-white etching on laid paper by Salomon Gessner, dated to 1770. The print depicts a serene natural scene with four figures in a wooded setting.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a woman balancing a basket of fruit on her head, accompanied by two children and a man holding a branch in the background. The tranquil atmosphere and focus on everyday life suggest a celebration of simplicity and natural harmony.
Technique & Style
Gessner employed etching to achieve detailed textures, evident in the rendering of leaves and skin through varied shading. The absence of ornate elements underscores a emphasis on understated, naturalistic representation.
History & Provenance
Created in 1770, specific details regarding the work's provenance and exhibition history are not provided in the available information.
Context
Within the context of 18th-century art, this etching reflects a growing interest in pastoral themes and the everyday, potentially aligning with the sentimental and naturalistic tendencies of its time.
Legacy
The enduring significance or influence of 'Girl Carrying a Basket of Fruit' on subsequent artistic movements or practices is not specified in the given details.
Artist & collection
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