1800s French Oil on Canvas Girl in a Torn Dress With Broken Vessel, After Jean-Baptiste Greuze, La Cruche Cassee

Description

After Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French 1725-1805) 'La Cruche Cassee', French School 19th century oil on canvas, depicting a young girl holding … more After Jean-Baptiste Greuze (French 1725-1805) 'La Cruche Cassee', French School 19th century oil on canvas, depicting a young girl holding a broken pitcher after the original oil painting at the Louvre Museum in Paris.

The painting surface shows fine pattern of hairline cracks (craquelure, caused by the normal ageing of the oil paint on canvas). Small area of paint loss in the lower right corner has been repaired.

Painting depicts a young girl in a low-cut white dress, with balloon sleeves, holding an armful of roses in a section of her apron, wearing a ribbon with three flowers, and with a rose on her bodice. She carries on her right arm the broken jug, object of the painting. On her left is the fountain where the girl had to draw water. It presents the facies of a lion's head with a male face through which water flows.

The girl's fichu is disturbed almost revealing a breast, the roses she holds in her hands are a little deflowered and gathered at the level of her hips, while her look is hesitant. The fountain can be a male image. One can imagine that this broken jug symbolizes her lost virginity.

Frame: 35-3/4 X 30 In

Props are not included; they are for size reference and are listed separately. less