The Jew's Harp

A 'Jew’s Harp' is a small lyre-shaped musical instrument held in the teeth and struck with the finger. A man plays the harp to two children and a dog, in a cottage interior. The artist was a Scotsman, who had great success with paintings of rustic life. Through subtly capturing the minute details of gesture and expression, Wilkie was able to suggest character and situation in a memorable and natural-seeming way.