A Mother Feeding her Child (The Happy Mother)
1707
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
1707
oil
From the collection of Art Institute of Chicago
This painting shows a mother feeding her child, with everyday objects like a cane bassinet and ceramic pitcher nearby. The artist used a special technique to make the scene look very detailed and smooth. He applied this technique to ordinary things, not just expensive or fancy ones. This makes the scene feel more real and down-to-earth. Check out the work of Willem van Mieris to see more examples of his skill with fine details.