Artwork
Among the Humble
Among the Humble is an oil painting by the Post-Impressionist artist Léon Augustin Lhermitte. It dates from 1905 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Subject & Meaning
The work's iconography identifies these figures as the Holy Family, specifically representing Christ alongside his parents.
Created in 1905, Léon Augustin Lhermitte's Among the Humble is a religious painting that depicts a domestic kitchen scene featuring a man, a woman, and an infant. The work's iconography identifies these figures as the Holy Family, specifically representing Christ alongside his parents. By situating these sacred figures within a humble, everyday interior rather than a celestial or regal setting, the artwork emphasizes the humanity and modesty of the Incarnation.
The composition focuses on the quiet intimacy of family life, grounding the divine narrative in a realistic, earthly environment characteristic of Lhermitte's approach to religious subjects.
Technique & Style
Among the Humble is an oil painting on canvas completed in 1905 by Léon Augustin Lhermitte. Measuring 266.1 cm high and 228.6 cm wide, the work portrays a woman, a man, an infant, a kitchen setting, and a Christ figure within a religious genre scene. The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support and is classified as a religious art painting in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
History & Provenance
The painting was created in 1905 by Léon Augustin Lhermitte, executed in oil on canvas, and belongs to the religious genre depicting a domestic scene with the Holy Family. It measures approximately 266.1 cm in height and 228.6 cm in width. The work is now part of the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, where it is currently housed.
Available sources do not record any earlier ownership, commission, or provenance details prior to its arrival at the museum.
Among the Humble (1905) by Léon Augustin Lhermitte is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art. The painting, executed in oil on canvas, measures 266.1 cm in height by 228.6 cm in width. The two sources provided do not specify an accession number or document any exhibition history for the work.
Overview
Among the Humble (1905) by Léon Augustin Lhermitte is an oil painting that depicts a solemn domestic scene illuminated by a single window on the left. The composition centers on a group of figures gathered around a simple table in a dimly lit interior, emphasizing the quiet dignity of rural life. A woman holds an infant while other family members watch with focused attention.
A man in a robe stands with a raised hand, appearing to lead a prayer or deliver a blessing, suggesting a religious context within a humble setting. A bowl and pitcher rest on the table, reinforcing the theme of modest sustenance. Lhermitte, a leading figure of French Realism, frequently portrayed peasant life with empathy and precision.
This work, created late in his career, reflects his enduring commitment to documenting the spiritual and material realities of the French countryside. The interplay of light and shadow creates a contemplative atmosphere, drawing the viewer into the intimate moment. The painting exemplifies Lhermitte's ability to elevate everyday subjects through careful observation and compositional clarity, maintaining his reputation as a chronicler of 19th-century rural existence.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Léon Augustin Lhermitte (French pronunciation:; 31 July 1844 – 28 July 1925) was a French naturalist painter and etcher whose primary subject matter was rural scenes depicting peasants at work.
Christ Preaching ('La Petite Tombe')
Christ Preaching (La petite Tombe)
The Last Supper
Den hellige nadver
Den hellige nadver
Kristus i templet
Kristus i templet
Jesús en casa de Marta y María
Christ in Emmaus
Christ Washing the Disciples' Feet
The Adoration of the Shepherds- Friend of the Humble (Supper at Emmaus)
