1859
oil
canvas
From the collection of Victoria and Albert Museum
The Mist: Children Round a Fire is a 1859 oil by Barthélemy Menn, held at Victoria and Albert Museum.
In the painting, a group of children gather around a fire on a beach. The atmosphere is misty, with a grayish tone dominating the scene. The children are dressed in dark clothing, and one of them is holding a bundle of sticks. The fire is the central focus, with the children surrounding it in a semi-circle. The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of depth and contrast, with the warm light of the fire illuminating the children's faces. The painting's somber tone and use of chiaroscuro are reminiscent of the works of Barthélemy Menn, who was known for his use of light and shadow to create dramatic effects.
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.
See the richer artist page
