Artwork
Catching frogs
Catching frogs is an oil painting by the Realist artist Barthélemy Menn. It dates from 1844 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
Catching frogs is an oil painting by Barthélemy Menn, created during his transitional period in the 1840s, blending historical painting influences with a freer, naturalistic approach.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a serene rural scene: a boy crouching by a pond, attempting to catch a frog perched on a lily pad. The tranquil atmosphere and focus on everyday life reflect Menn's interest in Realist themes.
Technique & Style
Menn employed a broader execution style, characteristic of the period. He utilized soft edges and glazing techniques to blend light and shadow, capturing the gentle play of light on the boy's face and the water's surface.
History & Provenance
Painted while Menn was studying in Rome, the work's title was noted in the donor's inventory. Menn's later influence as a teacher extended to notable artists like Ferdinand Hodler.
Context
This piece aligns with the emerging Realist movement in 1840s France, which emphasized rural subjects and atmospheric effects, influences also seen in the work of Corot and the Barbizon school.
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.
