Core Record |
| Title |
Schoolmaster Holding a Children's Class |
| Collection |
Hereford Museum and Art Gallery |
| Artist |
Aken, Joseph van (Flemish painter, ca. 1699-1749, active in England) |
| Date Earliest |
about 1729 |
| Date Latest |
about 1749 |
| Signed |
yes |
| Description |
A schoolmaster and boys in a classroom with high windows to the left. The schoolmaster, left of centre, sits at a desk in front of the fireplace on a high backed chair of black, carved wood with a cane back, holding a quill. He wears a powdered wig, black costume with white cravat and cuffs, black stockings, brown shoes with small buckles. A child in red stands reading to the master. On the right, is an alcove or door with hats on pegs. A student, back to viewer, with fair hair, reaches for his hat (or places it on a hook). On the left of the schoolmaster, children sit around a table. On the other side of the room, more children reading. The style is very smooth and highly finished. |
| Current Accession Number |
6326 |
| Former Accession Number |
31 |
| Inscription |
front ll 'J V Aken' |
| Subject |
everyday life (school room); figure (teacher and pupils) |
| Measurements |
44.4 x 58.4 cm cm (estimate) |
| Material |
oil on canvas |
| Acquisition Details |
Given by the National Art-Collections Fund from the collection of the late Sir Edward Marsh 1953. |
| Publications |
Edwards, R., 'The Conversation Pictures of Joseph van Aken', Apollo, vol. 22, 1936, pp. 79-85 |
| Notes |
Joseph van Aken (b. 1709 or 1699 Anvers, d. 1749, London) was active in England. In the 1730s and '40s he abandoned independent work and concentrated on drapery painting for other artists such as Highmore, Hudson, Ramsay and Dandridge. He travelled to Paris with Hogarth and Hayman in 1748. |
| Rights Owner |
Hereford Museum, Herefordshire Heritage Services |
| Author |
Dr Patricia Smyth |
