Prayer before dinner, Chardin, 1740s

Description of the picture:

Prayer before dinner – Jean Baptiste Simeon Chardin. 1740s Canvas, oil. 49×38

   Jean-Baptiste Chardin wrote stunning still lifes and genre scenes dedicated to the everyday life of ordinary people. Such a scene is a picture “Prayer before dinner”, depicting a daily, inconspicuous plot: a young mother teaches her own kids to pray before eating a meal.

   For the artist, this pious lady and her obedient children, whom she brings up in horror and love for God, are also dear to her. The whole scene came out very warm and comfortable, from the canvas breathes quiet family happiness and prosperity."