Artwork
The Meal
The Meal is an oil painting by Auguste Boulard. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
The Meal is an 1870 oil painting by Auguste Boulard, part of the Rijksmuseum's collection. It portrays a serene, intimate scene of an adult and a child sharing a meal in a dimly lit setting.
Subject & Meaning
The painting focuses on the quiet, contemplative moment of two figures—a red-headscarved adult in a blue top and a child in a white shirt—engaged in eating from a shared bowl. The adult uses a spoon, while the child's hands reach directly into the food, highlighting a contrast between mannered and instinctive behavior.
Technique & Style
Boulard employs chiaroscuro, leveraging a strong, singular light source from the right to create deep shadows, emphasizing the intimacy and solemnity of the moment. This technique draws the viewer's eye through the contrast between illuminated and dark areas of the composition.
History & Provenance
Created in 1870, The Meal is attributed to Auguste Boulard. The work is currently housed at the Rijksmuseum, though specific details of its acquisition or earlier ownership are not provided in the available information.
Context
The Meal reflects 19th-century European artistic interests in everyday life and the emotional depth of mundane moments. While not explicitly religious, its contemplative atmosphere aligns with works that find spirituality in ordinary human experiences.
Legacy
While The Meal does not stand out as a widely recognized work in broader art historical narratives, its use of chiaroscuro and focus on intimate domesticity place it within a tradition of artists exploring light, shadow, and the beauty of everyday life.
Own this work as a print
Artist & collection
Artist
Auguste Boulard (1825–1897) was an artist, born in former 8th arrondissement of Paris.
