The broken pitcher
Jean-Baptiste Greuze · 1771
Why it's great
A young girl holds a broken pitcher and a bunch of flowers, her face half sad, half shy. Greuze painted the girl in a soft light. The broken jug is a symbol. It was a famous image in 18th-century France.
Where to see it
📍 Louvre MuseumParis, France
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Three places to look for a print of this painting, from budget to museum-grade:
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Jean-Baptiste Greuze was born in Tournus, France, and moved to Paris, where he became famous for sentimental paintings of family life and young girls with moral messages. He was admired by the philosopher Diderot. His popularity faded after the French Revolution. He died in Paris in 1805.
