Painting of The Day: Catching Frogs, c. 1840

Click on the image to catch some froggies.
"Catching Frogs"
Switzerland, c. 1840-1847
The Victoria & ALbert Museum

Created in Switzerland between 1840 and 1847, this genre painting is the work of Barthélemy Menn (1815-1893) who studied with Ingres and followed him on his journey to Rome. Though he started with historical compositions, Menn is best remembered for his lush landscapes and handsome portraits in a manner similar to that of the Barbizon School—quite a departure from the influence of Ingres’ shiny Manneristic approach.

Take this painting, for example. We can clearly see the hand of Corot and the school of Barbizon guiding Menn’s brush. Executed in a broad style, this combination landscape and genre painting, entitled “Catching Frogs” neatly demonstrates Menn’s admiration for the rising Realist movement of the 1840s in France.

Hey! Guess what? Guess who bequeathed this painting to the V&A. Go on… I’ll wait.

Yes! It was our old friend, The Reverend Chauncey Hare Townshend. Shocking.