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The Family of Street Acrobats: The Injured Child (La famille du saltimbanques l’enfant blessé)The Family of Street Acrobats: The Injured Child (La famille du saltimbanques l’enfant blessé)PreviousNext

Gustave Doré

French, 1832–1883

The Family of Street Acrobats: The Injured Child (La famille du saltimbanques l’enfant blessé), About 1873

Oil paint on canvas

Gustave Doré loved the street performers known as saltimbanques. As precursors of our circus acrobats, they impressed viewers with their lavish costumes, daring stunts, and juggling abilities. Family members made up many of these troupes. This painting depicts the aftermath of a fatal performance that actually happened in Paris. Doré was moved by the tragedy and painted this scene to draw attention to the harsh realities of the lower classes.

This is one of the saddest paintings I’ve ever seen.