The Fruit Merchant and the Child 1844

"The Fruit Merchant and the Child" is a 1844 etching by the French artist Charles Jacque (1813-1894). The etching, held in The Art Institute of Chicago, depicts a fruit merchant, likely a woman, selling fruits to a child in a small, cramped shop. The work demonstrates Jacque's interest in depicting everyday life and the ordinary people who lived it in the 19th century. Jacque's signature style, evident in this artwork, involves detailed and textured lines, creating a sense of realism and atmosphere. The use of etching as a medium captures the textures of the fruit, wood, and cloth, adding to the work's overall visual appeal and artistic value.