Artwork
Woman Eating, Known as ‘The Cat’s Breakfast’
Woman Eating, Known as ‘The Cat’s Breakfast’ is an oil painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Gabriel Metsu. It dates from 1661 and is held in the collection of the Rijksmuseum.
About this work
Overview
Woman Eating, Known as ‘The Cat’s Breakfast’ is a 1661 oil painting by Dutch artist Gabriël Metsu, exemplifying the genre scene tradition of the Dutch Golden Age.
Subject & Meaning
The painting depicts a quiet domestic scene: a woman in a brown dress sits at a table with food, accompanied by a dog and a basket containing a plucked chicken, conveying an intimate moment of everyday life.
Technique & Style
Metsu's use of chiaroscuro creates a striking contrast between the dark background and the lit subject, highlighting the woman and the table. The artist's attention to detail is evident in the rendering of textures, such as the dog's fur and the chicken's feathers.
History & Provenance
The painting is one of only 14 dated works by Metsu, whose oeuvre comprises approximately 133 pieces. It is now part of the Rijksmuseum collection.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Gabriël Metsu (1629–1667) was a Dutch painter of history paintings, still lifes, portraits, and genre works.
