Artwork
The Oyster Woman
The Oyster Woman is a print by the Romanticist artist Philip Dawe. It dates from 1769 and is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
- Accession no.
- 1972.129
- Credit line
- Sundry Purchase Fund
About this work
Overview
The Oyster Woman is a 1769 print by Philip Dawe, an English mezzotint engraver and political cartoonist. It is a genre scene depicting a street vendor.
Subject & Meaning
The print shows a woman selling oysters in a coastal setting, wearing dark, simple clothing and a hood. She is bent over a tray of oysters, with a plate, lantern, and small box nearby. The plain, dark background emphasizes the vendor and her wares.
Technique & Style
The artist's use of chiaroscuro creates a strong contrast between light and dark, drawing attention to the vendor's face and hands. Mezzotint technique allows for subtle gradations of tone, contributing to the overall effect.
History & Provenance
The Oyster Woman is held in the collection of the Cleveland Museum of Art.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Philip Dawe (c. 1730 – 13 August 1832) was an English mezzotint engraver, artist and political cartoonist. He is thought to have been born in London in the 1730s, the son of a city merchant. He died in Kentish Town,…
