Sad Oompa Loompa is a Classical Painting

An event for children in Scotland called “Willy’s Chocolate Experience” has gone viral because it was such a disaster. It did not live up to its advertised hype, nor to the $35 ticket price. One of the enduring images from the news coverage was a picture of what became known as the "sad Oompa Loompa." That was Kirsty Paterson, who did the best she could with what she was given, but felt bad for the children who were disappointed.

The viral image of Paterson reminded many of Édouard Manet’s 1882 painting A Bar at the Folies-Bergère. They both feature a woman working behind a bar with the tools of the trade in front of her. Her facial expression is a contrast to those around her who came to have fun. To her, it's just a job, and she can't wait to call it a night.

Read about Manet's inspiration and the accidental art recreation at ArtNews. 

(Top image credit: Jenny Fogarty)