- Artist
- Sir David Wilkie 1785–1841
- Medium
- Oil paint on mahogany
- Dimensions
- Support: 578 × 794 mm
- Collection
- Tate
- Acquisition
- Presented by Sir George Beaumont Bt 1826
- Reference
- N00099
Display caption
David Wilkie suggests the emotional power of music here. He expresses the different reactions to the blind fiddler’s music – one young boy even pretends to play the fire bellows. This was only the second painting Wilkie exhibited publicly and it confirmed his reputation as a rising new star. A large crowd gathered around the picture when it was displayed at the Royal Academy. Exhibition-goers admired his observational skills, his characterisation, and his sympathetic view of everyday domestic life. It was hung next to JMW Turner’s A Country Blacksmith, which had a similarly subject and muted colours. Many contemporaries believed Turner was sparring with the younger artist.
Gallery label, February 2024
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