The Wanderer by Joseph Clark (1834-1926), shown (right) in its frame. 1861. H 20 1/4 x W 17 in., with frame, H 29 1/2 W x 26 1/2 in. Reproduced here by kind permission of Uno Langmann Ltd., Vancouver BC, Canada (www.langmann.com).
The painting was engraved by Butterworth and Heath for James Dafforne's article on Clark in The Art-Journal, where Dafforne explained it as follows:
A little child has strayed away from home ... and has seated herself at the outskirts of a wood, tempted to enter it by the ripe blackberries on which she has been feasting. There she is discovered by a gentleman and his daughter, the latter of whom stoops down to ask the child some question.... the attitude and expression of the three figures, that of the child especially, are truth itself, while the "tree-work" is quite as good in its way. We hold this to be a perfect specimen of genuine Art - as perfect of its kind as could be placed on canvas [51].
Indeed, the benevolent attention of the top-hatted gentleman, standing back a little so as not to intimidate the child, and the kindness of the young woman who crouches on the grassy path to coax some information out of her, are both very touching. The child herself looks shy and a little shamefaced. She keeps gentle hold of her kitten, and shows one little foot wearing only a sock (her shoe can be seen in the foreground), the former detail confirming that she has strayed from hearth and home. Even the very ivy would have had a positive meaning for the Victorian observer, its clinging habit betokening faithfulness and loyalty. There is nothing here but the good intentions of the adults, and the innocent thoughtlessness of the child.
The original work, together with its companion piece, Restored, is for auction with Uno Langmann Ltd. at the time of writing. — Jacqueline Banerjee
Bibliography
Dafforne, James. "British Artists: Their Style and Character, No. LXIII: Joseph Clark." The Art-Journal Vol. 2, issue 15 (March 1863): 49-51. Internet Archive. Web. 22 November 2024.
"Joseph Clark, R.O.I. (British 1834-1926)." Uno Langmann. Web. 22 November 2024.
Created 22 November 2024