Artwork
The Oyster Woman
The Oyster Woman is a print by the Romanticist artist Philip Dawe. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
The Oyster Woman is a 1769 print by Philip Dawe, an English mezzotint engraver and political cartoonist. It is a genre scene depicting a street vendor.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a woman selling oysters in a coastal setting, wearing dark, simple clothing and a hood. She is bent over a tray of oysters, with a plate, lantern, and small box nearby. The plain, dark background emphasizes the vendor and her wares.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a strong contrast between light and dark, drawing attention to the vendor's face and hands. Mezzotint technique allows for subtle gradations of tone, contributing to the overall effect.
History & Provenance
The Oyster Woman is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Dawe (c. 1730 – 13 August 1832) was an English mezzotint engraver, artist and political cartoonist. He is thought to have been born in London in the 1730s, the son of a city merchant. He died in Kentish Town,…
