1632
oil
canvas
From the collection of Mauritshuis
Dominant colour
A Child Picking Fruit is a 1632 oil by Gerard van Honthorst, a Dutch Golden Age work, held at Mauritshuis.
This painting shows a young child sitting on a rocky ledge, reaching up to pick fruit from a tree. The child is naked except for a yellow cloth tied around their waist with a red bow. They have fair skin and curly brown hair. The child's left leg is bent, and their right leg is straight, with their right foot resting on a rock. In front of them are various fruits, including a melon, apples, and grapes. The background of the painting is dark, with a few leaves and branches visible behind the child. The overall atmosphere of the painting is one of innocence and curiosity, as the child explores the natural world around them. The use of chiaroscuro, a technique that uses strong contrasts between light and dark, adds depth and volume to the painting. Next, explore the works of artist Gerard van Honthorst.
Gerard "Gerrit" van Honthorst (4 November 1592 – 27 April 1656) was a Dutch Golden Age painter who became known for his depiction of artificially lit scenes, eventually receiving the Italian nickname Gherardo delle Notti ("Gerard of the Nights").
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