La Saucière Et Les Ronds De Serviette c. 1896 - 1897

Édouard Vuillard created ‘La Saucière Et Les Ronds De Serviette’ with oil on cardboard during the late 19th or early 20th century. This painting of a sauceboat and napkin rings offers a glimpse into the domestic sphere of the French upper class. Vuillard, associated with the Nabis movement, often depicted intimate, interior scenes. The composition, with its flattened perspective and emphasis on pattern, reflects an interest in decorative arts and the influence of Japanese prints, very popular at the time. The painting invites us to consider the social rituals surrounding dining. Napkin rings were a bourgeois status symbol, demonstrating attention to detail and refinement, and the sauceboat highlights the importance of gastronomy in French culture. To fully understand this painting, we can research the social history of dining in France and the cultural significance of domestic objects. Art history is not just about aesthetics but also about understanding the values and customs of a particular time and place.