How you can use this image
This image can be used for non-commercial research or private study purposes, and other UK exceptions to copyright permitted to users based in the United Kingdom under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act 1988, as amended and revised. Any other type of use will need to be cleared with the rights holder(s).
Review the copyright credit lines that are located underneath the image, as these indicate who manages the copyright (©) within the artwork, and the photographic rights within the image.
The collection that owns the artwork may have more information on their own website about permitted uses and image licensing options.
Review our guidance pages which explain how you can reuse images, how to credit an image and how to find images in the public domain or with a Creative Commons licence available.
Buy a print or image licence
You can purchase this reproduction
If you have any products in your basket we recommend that you complete your purchase from Art UK before you leave our site to avoid losing your purchases.
Notes
Add or edit a note on this artwork that only you can see. You can find notes again by going to the ‘Notes’ section of your account.
An avalanche of outsize vegetables tumbles towards us on the left of this painting. On the right, glistening fruits are piled in baskets and bowls balanced rather precariously on a wheelbarrow. The two women at the front, often called stallholders, appear to be buying rather than selling. Their rolled up sleeves and aprons show that they are servants. One has half-filled her shopping basket with apples, the other holds up a giant cabbage. The sellers are probably the couple on the right, who have brought their produce to the well in a wheelbarrow and are preparing it for sale. This is one of a group of four large paintings where food is used to symbolise the four elements – water, air, earth and fire – with biblical scenes in the background.
Title
The Four Elements: Earth. A Fruit and Vegetable Market with the Flight into Egypt in the Background
Date
1569
Medium
Oil on canvas
Measurements
H 157.3 x W 214.2 cm
Accession number
NG6585
Acquisition method
Bought, 2001
Work type
Painting
The National Gallery, London
Trafalgar Square, London, Greater London WC2N 5DN England
-
Kitchen Scene with Christ in the House of Martha and Mary Walker Art Gallery -
The Fish Market Ferens Art Gallery -
A Dutch Kitchen Scene National Trust, Treasurer's House, York -
A Maid in a Kitchen and Christ with Martha and Mary in the Background National Trust, Scotney Castle -
Market Couple National Trust, Osterley Park -
The Four Elements: Fire. A Kitchen Scene with Christ in the House of Martha and Mary in the Background The National Gallery, London -
The Four Elements: Earth. A Fruit and Vegetable Market with the Flight into Egypt in the Background The National Gallery, London - 4 more
