Artwork
Crying Forfeits
Crying Forfeits is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Joshua Reynolds. It dates from 1770 and is held in the collection of the Detroit Institute of Arts.
About this work
Overview
Crying Forfeits is a 1770 oil painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds, a prominent English portrait painter. It is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts collection.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts three children in a wooded setting, dressed in loose, old-fashioned clothing. One child lies on the ground, while another stands pointing upwards, and the third sits holding an object.
Technique & Style
The work employs chiaroscuro, using strong light and dark contrasts to create depth and emotional resonance. The muted color palette, dominated by browns and greens, contributes to the overall atmosphere.
History & Provenance
Reynolds, known for his Grand Style, was a leading figure in 18th-century English art, serving as the first president of the Royal Academy of Arts and being knighted in 1769.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Sir Joshua Reynolds (16 July 1723 – 23 February 1792) was an English painter who specialised in portraits.
- Cottage Children (The Wood Gatherers)
The Paterson Children
The Hartley Children
Portrait of the Willett Children
The Vanderkemp Children
The Hoppner Children
Lady Anne Fitzpatrick
Portrait of Two Girls (Misses Cumberland)
Lady Elizabeth Delmé and Her Children
Spring
The Rosebud
Mrs. Hugh Morgan and Her Daughter