#jules breton

Jules Adolphe Breton (1827-1906) - Jeune paysanne jouant avec des hannetons

Oil on canvas. Painted in 1857.

22 x 18.25 inches, 56 x 46.5 cm. Estimate: £40,000-60,000.

Failed to sell Bonhams, London, 30 March 2022.

She is depicted holding a stick with cockchafer beetles on it. Growing to around 3 cm and found throughout Europe, the beetles have distinctive fan-shaped antennae. Before the advent of modern pesticides, they were a major problem for agricultural crops. The two species found in the UK are known by various local names including billy witch, mitchamador, spang beetle, May bug (around the time of year when they emerge), and doodlebug. Adults live for around four to five weeks.

The whirring of the beetles’ wings in flight gave rise to ‘doodlebug’ being used as the nickname for Germany’s WWII V-1 flying bomb due to the sound of the engine propelling it.

by-grace-of-god:

One of my favourite paintings.

Blessing of the Wheat Fields by Jules Breton

Jules Breton (1827-1906), “On the Road in Winter; Artois”. Oil, 1884.