Artwork
At the Waffle House
At the Waffle House is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Charles Mertens. It dates from 1898 and is held in the collection of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1898, *At the Waffle House* is an oil painting by Belgian artist Charles Mertens. The work is part of the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s collection and exemplifies the post‑impressionist style that Mertens employed in his depictions of everyday scenes.
Subject & Meaning
The composition portrays a modest interior where a man in a white apron and cap sits at a table, glancing to his left. Behind him, a second figure works at another table, while a large pot rests on a stove. The subdued lighting and domestic details suggest a quiet moment in a rural eatery, emphasizing ordinary labor and hospitality.
Technique & Style
Mertens applies a muted palette and careful modeling of light to create a chiaroscuro effect, where the glow from the stove and windows contrasts with deep shadows on the walls. This handling of illumination adds dimensionality and a tactile sense of warmth to the scene.
History & Provenance
Born in Antwerp in 1865, Mertens worked in painting, drawing, and etching, gaining recognition for portraits, landscapes, and genre scenes. *At the Waffle House* entered the Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp’s holdings, where it remains accessible for study and public viewing.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Charles Mertens, Karel Jozef Mertens or Karel Mertens (Antwerp, 14 April 1865 – Calverley, England, 20 February 1919) was a Belgian draughtsman, painter, muralist, etcher and illustrator.
