The Shrimp Girl facts for kids
Quick facts for kids The Shrimp Girl |
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| Artist | William Hogarth |
| Year | circa 1740–1745 |
| Type | Oil painting |
| Dimensions | 63.5 cm × 52.5 cm (25.0 in × 20.7 in) |
| Location | National Gallery, London |
The Shrimp Girl is a famous oil painting by the British artist William Hogarth. He painted it around 1740 to 1745. The painting is not very big, measuring about 63.5 by 52.5 centimeters. Today, you can see it at the National Gallery in London, England.
This artwork is special because of its lively brushstrokes. They make the painting look almost like a modern Impressionistic piece. It reminds some people of the style used by the French painter Jean-Honoré Fragonard. The painting shows a common scene from Hogarth's time: a street seller.
What the Painting Shows
The painting captures a young woman who is selling seafood. She is likely selling shellfish like shrimp and mussels. In Hogarth's time, this job was often done by the wives and daughters of people who sold fish.
The girl in the painting is balancing a large basket on her head. This basket is full of the shellfish she is selling. You can also see a small pewter pot in her basket. This pot was probably used as a measuring cup for her customers.
A Painting Left Unfinished
The Shrimp Girl is unique because it was never fully finished by Hogarth. It was still in his home when he passed away. His wife, Jane, was very proud of this painting. She would often show it to visitors. She reportedly said, "They say he could not paint flesh. There is flesh and blood for you."
The painting was not sold until after Jane Hogarth died in 1789. It was first given its well-known title, The Shrimp Girl, in a sales catalog from Christie's auction house.
Images for kids
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The Shrimp Girl by William Hogarth
See also
In Spanish: La vendedora de camarones para niños
