Who painted Peasant Boy with a Jug?

Peasant Boy with a Jug was painted by Wilhelm Leibl in 1876.

Where can I see Peasant Boy with a Jug?

Peasant Boy with a Jug is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is Peasant Boy with a Jug?

Peasant Boy with a Jug is associated with Impressionism.

Artwork

Peasant Boy with a Jug

Wilhelm Leibl , 1876

Peasant Boy with a Jug is an ink print by the Impressionist artist Wilhelm Leibl. It dates from 1876 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

Wilhelm Leibl’s Peasant Boy with a Jug is an etching on wove paper dating from around 1876. The work measures roughly the size of a standard sheet and is part of the National Gallery of Art’s collection in Washington, D.C. It presents a solitary figure in a stark, monochrome composition that emphasizes texture and expression over narrative detail.

Subject & Meaning

The image depicts a young peasant, dressed in a fur‑lined coat and a dark hat, clutching a round jug. The boy’s face bears a sober, slightly weary expression, suggesting the hardships of rural life. The plain background isolates the figure, directing attention to his attire and the weight of the jug as symbols of daily labor.

Technique & Style

Leibl employed the traditional intaglio process, incising lines into a copper plate before printing onto wove paper. The resulting marks are deliberately rough and textured, especially in the rendering of fur and fabric, which convey a tactile realism. The limited tonal range of the black‑and‑white medium heightens the contrast between light and shadow.

History & Provenance

Created in the mid‑1870s, the etching entered the National Gallery of Art’s holdings through acquisition in the twentieth century, though the exact path of ownership prior to its museum entry is not extensively documented. Its presence in the gallery reflects Leibl’s reputation as a key figure in German realism and his interest in depicting ordinary subjects.