The Breadwinner

The Breadwinner

Alexander Struys

1894

oil

From the collection of Royal Museum of Fine Arts Antwerp

About this work

The painting depicts an elderly woman standing beside a seated man, both facing each other. The woman, dressed in dark attire and a headscarf, holds a small object in her hands. The man, wearing a dark jacket and cap, sits with his hands resting on his lap. The scene is set against a dimly lit room with a window behind them, suggesting a daytime setting. In the background, a window with a curtain allows natural light to enter the room, casting a warm glow on the scene. The overall atmosphere is somber and intimate, with the two figures engaged in a quiet moment together. This painting is reminiscent of the works of the Old Masters, who often employed chiaroscuro to create dramatic contrasts between light and dark.

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