The Gentleman and the Kitchen Maid

by Diane Stanley, Dennis Nolan (Illustrator)

When two paintings hanging across from each other in a museum fall in love, a resourceful art student finds a way to unite the lovers

Genres: Art, Picture Books, Fiction, Childrens

Paperback

First published March 7, 1994

About the author

Diane Stanley is an American children's author and illustrator, a former medical illustrator, and a former art director for the publisher G.P. Putnam's Sons. Born in 1943 in Abilene, Texas, she was educated at Trinity University (in San Antonio, TX) and at Johns Hopkins University. She is perhaps best known for her many picture-book biographies, some of which were co-authored by her husband, Peter Vennema. (source: Wikipedia)

Reviews

[Michael Fitzgerald · Rating 4 out of 5]

A cute museum story, similar to but not quite like the Katie books by James Mayhew.

The illustrator states that "Although no particular paintings were copied, various elements were borrowed and general styles were employed for each subject." He then names all the artists (see below), but not any works. Here's what I would say are likely the inspirations:

p.4 - Pablo Picasso (Three Musicians)
5 - Claude Monet (The Water Lilies Pond, 1917), Claude Monet (Rouen Cathedral, Full Sunlight)
8 - Jan Vermeer (Girl with a Pearl Earring) AND Jan Vermeer (The Milkmaid) AND Pieter De Hooch (Woman with a Child in a Pantry) - this was particularly tough to figure out
9 - Jacob van Ruisdael (Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede)
10 - Meyndert Hobbema (Wooded Landscape with a Water Mill), Jan van der Heyden (The South-West Approach to the Town of Veere with the Groote Kerk)
11 - Frans Hals (Portrait of a Member of the Haarlem Civic Guard)
12 - Rembrandt van Rijn (Man in Oriental Dress)
13 - Rembrandt van Rijn (Portrait of a Woman), Gerard Ter Borch (Burgomaster Jan van Duren), Jan Cornelisz Verspronck (Girl in a Blue Dress)
14 - Jan Steen (Self-portrait with a Lute AND A Discussion of the Merry Family)
16 - Willem van de Velde (The Cannon Shot) AND Albert Cuyp (View of Dordrecht)
22 - Abraham Van Beyeren (Banquet still life), Jacob van Ruisdael (Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede)
24 - Jan Steen (Self-portrait with a Lute AND A Discussion of the Merry Family), Abraham Van Beyeren (Banquet still life)
25 - Jacob van Ruisdael (Windmill at Wijk bij Duurstede)
26 - Philips Wouwerman (Cavalier Holding a Dappled Grey Horse)
30- Henri Rousseau (Self-portrait from L'Ile Saint Louis)
31 - Amedeo Modigliani (Portrait of Paulette Jourdain), Marc Chagall (The Blue Violinist)

There are a couple where the illustrator combined multiple inspirations into a single painting.

[Vintage · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love this book. It's a gentle story with a little twist at the end that adults and children will like. It makes a great segue for art and museum or just a good story to read aloud.

[Leigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

I was mortified when I learned this book is OP. It's a wonderful story about two characters in separate paintings who fall in love. Alas, they are placed in different rooms in the museum and it's Rusty, the compassionate artist who re-unites them. A great story.

[Tomi Alger · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a delightful book! A young painter visits an art gallery, hoping to practice her painting techniques. She sees a kitchen maid looking over her shoulder. On the opposite wall is a gentleman with his arm outstretched. Are they trying to get each other's attention? The people in the paintings in the room have their own opinions. We find out what happens after the kitchen maid is removed to another room in the gallery.

[Irina H. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have you ever wondered if the paintings at an art museum interacted with each other when no one was watching? This story is for those who love art museums, & especially love to imagine the portraits chatting & gossiping with each other.

[Rae · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this story!!!

[Dolly · Rating 4 out of 5]

I discovered this book at our local library in an attempt to inspire our young budding artists. I thought the story itself was somewhat magical and somewhat reminded me of the book, Katie Meets The Impressionists by James Mayhew.

Or, I suppose, a better comparison might be the way the pictures on the walls at Hogwarts interact with one another in the Harry Potter stories by J.K. Rowling.

I thought it was very interesting that the illustrator added a note to the verso page that explains that "Although no particular paintings were copied, various elements were borrowed and general styles were employed for each subject.". Therefore, the examples of Picasso's paintings look like his work as do the Monet-esque pictures and the "Dutch master" portraits.

Overall, it's a fun tale to read aloud and we really enjoyed reading it together. It certainly inspired me, and makes me want to visit an art museum again soon.

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Clever concept.

[Elisabeth Petty]

This picture book is worth reading, about two people in paintings who are in love and want to be together. Read it!!

[Joshlynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

A charming, sweet book that actually has something to say.