Children with a Goldfish Bowl
Hugh NEWELL
(Irish, 1830-1915 (active USA))
Children with a Goldfish Bowl
Date1873
Mediumoil on canvas
Dimensionsoverall: 12 x 14 in. (30.5 x 35.6 cm)
frame: 17 7/8 × 19 3/4 × 2 3/8 in. (45.4 × 50.2 × 6 cm)
ClassificationPAINTINGS
Credit LineSBMA, Gift of Charles C. and Elma Ralphs Shoemaker
Object number1994.34.10
Subject(s)
- boys
- girls
- fish
- plants
Collection
- 19th century American
- American
Sub-Collection(s)
- Irish
- American
On View
On viewCollections
Label TextThe Irish-born Newell began his career studying in France and England, including in the studio of Thomas Couture, in Paris. He specialized in charming genre scenes like this, which are derived, like his teacher Couture’s, from Enlightenment-era depictions of children, which often dwelled on their innocent curiosity. Their relaxed absorption in the idle activity of poking at a pet goldfish reflects the pleasures afforded them at this tender stage of childhood, still living in a bubble of their own, and protected from the harsh reality of the world at large.
