Girl with Hen 1956

"Girl with Hen" is a 1956 painting by Joy Hester, an Australian artist known for her expressive and often melancholic depictions of figures. The work features a young girl in a dark setting, holding a hen close to her body. The figure's large, expressive eyes and somber demeanor suggest a sense of loneliness or introspection. The use of bold, contrasting colors and simplified forms adds to the painting's raw and emotionally charged quality. The artwork is a poignant portrayal of childhood innocence and vulnerability, often interpreted as a reflection on Hester's own experiences with loss and hardship.