2-969-731 - /Heritage Images

"Art and Liberty" - painted by Gallait, 1856. Engraving '...from a picture...by one of the best living Belgium artists, M. Gallait...The print has been published at Paris, where it is a great favourite with artists...This preference is probably to be attributed...to a certain sympathy with the tastes of the bold good-looking fellow, over whom the cares of life evidently pass lightly, so long as he has fresh air, freedom, and his fiddle. Beside him are his music, his inkstand, and a pendent bunch of grapes, hinting that, like most of his craft, he is no enemy to the bottle. Indeed, there is nothing of the teetotaller in his look, very little of it indeed in his firm, well-cut, but full and rather sensual lips. On the wall, in the shadow of the vine's tendrils, he has carved the name of his lady love. He has a battered hat and a cloak somewhat tattered...his heart is light, his fingers are skilful, and all are ready to welcome the minstrel'. From "Illustrated London News", 1856.