Artwork
Two Children stealing an Apple from a Man with a Basket
Two Children stealing an Apple from a Man with a Basket is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Claes Corneliszoon Moeyaert. It dates from 1633 and is held in the collection of the Ashmolean Museum.
About this work
Overview
Two Children Stealing an Apple from a Man with a Basket is a 17th-century oil painting by Claes Corneliszoon Moeyaert, a Dutch artist known for narrative scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a man with a basket, holding a hat, while two children hide behind it, one grasping an apple. The children's expressions suggest mischief, implying they are stealing from the man.
Technique & Style
Moeyaert's use of muted background tones focuses attention on the figures and their interaction. The artist's style reflects his interest in narrative and everyday themes, diverging from his typical biblical and mythological subjects.
History & Provenance
Painted around 1633, the work is now held in the Ashmolean Museum's collection. Moeyaert, born in 1592, was influenced by his travels to Italy and potential collaborations with other Dutch artists.
Artist & collection
Artist
Claes Corneliszoon Moeyaert or Nicolaes Moyaert or Mooyaert (1592–1655) was an authoritative Catholic Dutch painter.
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