After Jean Baptiste Greuze, French, 1725 to 1805, oil on canvas portrait painting titled The Broken Pitcher depicting the girl who holds a broken jug in her hand symbolizing her lost virginity, 1771. Signed L. Nicolas dapres Greuze lower right. Additionally inscribed to the back. Circa the mid 19th century. In the oval frame. Chinese author Xiao Yi mentions The Broken Pitcher throughout the first half of her novel Blue Nails. The Broken Pitcher is also mentioned in the first scene of the Jean Paul Sartre play, The Respectful Prostitute. Jean Baptiste Greuze was a painter of portraits, genre scenes and history painting. Antique Portrait Painting And French Art Collectibles.