3-020-978 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

"A Shrimper", by L. Smythe, in the winter exhibition at the French Gallery, Pall-Mall, 1868. Engraving of a painting. 'It is, indeed, excellently painted, the figure being as well drawn and coloured and as thoroughly realised as the landscape, or "seascape," background is full of daylight brilliance and fresh sea air. The recession of the shallows of the ebbing tide away to where they shelve off into the deep-green sea, and the almost countless strata of light glistening clouds, succeeding each other from the zenith right down to the far-off verge of the horizon, are in particular rendered with uncommon felicity...How many a jaded Londoner has lain by the hour on shingle or sand listlessly watching those poor amphibious folk who so patiently wade about to net a few shrimps or prawns, and how many will be reminded of those pleasant hours by the artist!...the picture may also suggest a moment's feeling of sympathy for the myriads of our lowly brethren and sisters, who pass lives of drudgery and toil, sacrificing health sometimes as well as comfort, to place upon our tables some scarcely-heeded little crustacea or other appetising delicacy'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.