Eating near the hearth 1900

Noè Bordignon’s oil on canvas, "Eating near the hearth," invites us into an intimate scene of domestic life. Bordignon, painting in the late 19th and early 20th century, lived through a period of significant social change, shaped by industrialization and the rise of national identities. This work depicts a family gathered in the humble setting of their home. The dim light and sparse surroundings speak to the realities of poverty. The mother, caught in the act of mending clothes, embodies the labor often unseen, yet crucial for survival. The children, their faces lit by the fire, represent innocence and vulnerability. Bordignon doesn’t shy away from depicting the hardship of working-class life. Instead, he draws our attention to the resilience and dignity of a family amidst these conditions. The act of eating becomes almost sacred. Bordignon captures the tenderness and struggle inherent in everyday life.