A Little Girl with a Basket of Cherries
- Artist: Marten de Vos
- Date: probably 1575-80
- Medium: oil on canvas
- Museum: The National Gallery
- Collection record: The National Gallery website
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About this artwork
This is the "A Little Girl with a Basket of Cherries" by Marten de Vos. Painted in the Flemish tradition, we see a young girl dressed in a dark blue dress with intricate gold and silver lace patterns, her black cap adorned with flowers, beads, and tassels. Around her neck, wrists, and waist are gold chains, one featuring a coral pendant.
The girl holds a small wicker basket filled with cherries, a fruit often associated with the Christ Child in Christian symbolism. The use of red coral as a protective charm for children is also evident here. While the style is reminiscent of Marten de Vos's portraits of children, it appears to be less skillfully painted.
The artist was likely working in Antwerp around 1575-80, making this painting a rare example from that period. Note how the hands seem slightly out of proportion and not as finely detailed as one might expect. This is an interesting example of a follower's work, showcasing a style that is both familiar and distinct.
See it in person
A Little Girl with a Basket of Cherries 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.
