A Peasant Boy leaning on a Sill
- Artist: Bartolomé Esteban Murillo
- Date: about 1675-80
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is "A Peasant Boy leaning on a Sill" by Bartolomé Esteban Murillo. Painted in the late 17th century, it's a quintessential example of Murillo's style, showcasing his ability to capture everyday life with extraordinary humanity.
The boy's expression and relaxed pose convey a sense of high spirits, despite the fact that he's dressed in ragged clothes. This is no portrait, but rather a general scene of a street child, typical of the genre that was popular at the time. Murillo's specialization in painting beggar boys and children was largely driven by the growing problem of poverty in Seville.
Notice how the boy is bathed in naturalistic daylight, and the use of quick, lively brushstrokes to suggest the form of his earlobes and hands. The contrast between the sketch-like appearance of the shadows and background with the thicker layers of paint in the clothing creates a dynamic visual effect. This painting showcases Murillo's confidence in handling paint, particularly in capturing everyday life scenes towards the end of his career.
See it in person
A Peasant Boy leaning on a Sill hangs in The National Gallery on Trafalgar Square, London — free to enter. Point your phone at any artwork there and audioguide.london plays a free audio guide in six languages — no app download needed.
