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Rustic Figures: Two Boys

Thomas Barker

1801

From the collection of Cleveland Museum of Art

Romanticism Early 19th Century

Dominant colour

Rustic Figures: Two Boys is a 1801 by Thomas Barker, a Romanticism work, held at Cleveland Museum of Art.

Who painted this?: Thomas Barker
When & what style?: 1801 · Romanticism
Where can I see it?: Cleveland Museum of Art

About this work

You see two boys in a rural setting. They're dressed in simple clothes, standing near a tree. The interesting thing about this work is that it's one of the earliest artist's lithographs, made just a few years after lithography was invented in Germany. This was a new technique at the time, and artists were still experimenting with it. Lithography allowed for more precise and detailed prints, which is notable in this piece. Check out the work of Thomas Barker.

The story of this work

Overview

Lithography was invented in Germany in 1798 as a commercial technique but soon spread to England where it was quickly adopted by artists. This is one of the very earliest artist's lithographs which is very welcome in our fine collection of early lithography.

Read the full account in the museum source.