Artwork
The Poultry Seller
The Poultry Seller is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Richard Heighway. It dates from 1796 and is held in the collection of the Victoria and Albert Museum.
About this work
Overview
The Poultry Seller is an oil painting depicting a woman selling chickens. Created in 1796, it is an early example of a work in this medium.
Subject & Meaning
The scene shows a woman, dressed in a red cloak and straw hat, sitting on rocks with a basket of chickens. The subject is typical of genre art, which often featured everyday scenes.
Technique & Style
The painting's somber atmosphere is created by a blurred face and dark background, with light coming from the top left. Despite being dated to 1796, it reflects the Rococo style, known for its decorative qualities, though here executed in a subdued manner.
History & Provenance
The Poultry Seller is held in the Victoria and Albert Museum's collection. Notably, its attributed creator, Richard Heighway, was active much later, in the late 19th century, suggesting a potential discrepancy in the painting's attribution or date.
Artist & collection
Artist
Richard Heighway (March 1832–10 October 1917) was a British illustrator, noted and exhibited for his black and white designs of Aesop's Fables.
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