Murillo’s genre paintings gained popularity during the artist’s lifetime. Moreover, they were appreciated not only in Spain, but throughout Europe. Already in 1673, some of them are mentioned in the inventory of collections of paintings. As for the “Fruit Saleswoman”, it is traditionally referred to the beginning of the 1670s.
It was at this time that Murillo, after a rather long break, returns to the “children’s genre” and makes many “sketches” from the life of Seville children and teenagers – such as “Pate Eaters”, “Two Peasant Boys and a Negro”, “Dice Players” .
Typologically most of these works go back to the Eaters of Melon and Grapes. However, it should be noted that in the later genre works of Murillo is much less than the “causeless cheerfulness”, which characterizes his early genre paintings.
Mixed feelings possess the viewer, who was face to face with the “Fruit Vendor”, and it is difficult to make out right away where the cracked note comes from, which makes it difficult for the picture to sound in “pastoral major”. And the answer is simple – the coppers in the palm of a girl ring out of tune.
(2 votes, average: 3.00 out of 5)