The Frugal Meal c. 19th century

Editor: This is "The Frugal Meal" by Bernardus Johannes Blommers. I'm really struck by how the light seems to gather around the mother and children. What symbols do you see playing out in this scene of everyday life? Curator: Notice the pitchfork resting against the wall. Doesn’t it seem to suggest the absence of labor, a moment of rest? Perhaps Blommers uses this to evoke a sense of the cyclical nature of agrarian life. Editor: That makes a lot of sense; it speaks to the rhythm of their lives. Curator: And consider the mother's white head covering. It might symbolize purity, or even a kind of spiritual nourishment she provides. What do you think? Editor: I see what you mean. It creates a sense of timelessness, connecting the family to generations past. Curator: Exactly! And that connection is what lends the scene its emotional weight. Editor: I'll definitely look at paintings of daily life differently now!