Who painted The Mid-Day Meal?

The Mid-Day Meal was painted by George Morland in 1794.

Where can I see The Mid-Day Meal?

The Mid-Day Meal is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is The Mid-Day Meal?

The Mid-Day Meal is associated with Romanticism.

Artwork

The Mid-Day Meal

George Morland , 1794

The Mid-Day Meal is a graphite drawing by the Romanticist artist George Morland. It dates from 1794 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.

About this work

Overview

George Morland’s drawing *The Mid-Day Meal*, executed circa 1794, is rendered in graphite and colored chalks on wove paper. The work captures a brief, informal scene with a single figure seated, rendered in a loose, sketch‑like manner that emphasizes gesture over finish.

Subject & Meaning

The composition depicts a man in a loose jacket and red scarf, legs crossed, holding a hat in one hand while seated on a chair. The informal pose and everyday attire suggest a moment of quiet respite, reflecting Morland’s interest in ordinary rural life.

Technique & Style

Morland employs light pencil strokes to delineate the folds of clothing and the texture of the chair, while sparse applications of red and blue chalk provide limited color accents. The drawing’s soft shading and rapid execution convey a sense of immediacy, characteristic of his quick, expressive sketches.

History & Provenance

Created during the period when Morland turned increasingly toward domestic and agrarian subjects, the piece was likely intended as a study for a later print. Although Morland’s personal life was marked by hardship, his prolific output in the 1790s secured his standing within English art circles.

Context

Morland’s work draws on the tradition of Dutch Golden Age genre painting, adapting its attention to everyday activity to an English rural setting. *The Mid-Day Meal* exemplifies his shift away from grand landscapes toward intimate, narrative moments that could be reproduced for a broader audience.

Artist & collection

Artist

George Morland

George Morland (26 June 1763 – 29 October 1804) was an English painter. His early work was influenced by Francis Wheatley, but after the 1790s he came into his own style. His best compositions focus on rustic scenes:…