The Savoyard Girl

Maker William Hogarth (British, 1697-1764)

Collections

British Paintings

ClassificationsPAINTINGS

Date1749

Mediumoil on canvas

Dimensionscanvas: 16 1/2 × 13 in. (41.9 × 33 cm.) frame: 22 1/2 × 19 × 2 1/2 in. (57.2 × 48.3 × 6.4 cm.)

Credit LineThe Huntington Library, Art Museum, and Botanical Gardens

Label TextThe term Savoyard referred to inhabitants of Savoy, a region of southeastern France, but was also used in 18th-century England to identify any wandering street musician performing on the hurdy-gurdy. Here, a Savoyard stands next to a fireplace in a
dark interior. The spontaneity of the figure, who opens her mouth to sing to the tune she creates by turning the key on her instrument, suggests that her portrayal is the result of direct observation.

Status

Not on view

Object number93.10