Boy at breakfast c. 1856

"Boy at Breakfast" (c. 1856) by Józef Simmler portrays a young boy in a simple white shirt, thoughtfully eating from a bowl. The painting's realism and focus on everyday life are characteristic of Simmler's work, which often captured the lives of ordinary people. The boy's serious expression and the detail of the food in his spoon suggest a moment of quiet contemplation during a simple meal. This genre painting, often referred to as "genre art," is known for its depictions of everyday life and ordinary people. Simmler's work, in particular, often focused on children and their activities, giving insight into the lives of youth in 19th-century Europe.