The Canon’s Dinner 1875

Jehan Georges Vibert's "The Canon’s Dinner", painted in 1875, depicts a scene of humorous irony. A canon, a high-ranking cleric, sits at a lavish table indulging in a lobster dinner. A young man kneels beside him, seemingly reciting a prayer, while the canon nonchalantly carves his meal. The painting, through its juxtaposition of piety and pleasure, subtly satirizes the hypocrisy and decadent lifestyle of some members of the clergy. Vibert’s style, known for its attention to detail and realistic portrayal of figures, adds to the humorous undertone of this social commentary.