Petit Déjeuner Devant La Fenêtre c. 1892

Édouard Vuillard rendered this intimate domestic scene with oil on cardboard. The window, boldly bisected by a cruciform frame, dominates the composition, a stark symbol juxtaposed against the quotidian act of sharing breakfast. The cross, deeply embedded in our collective consciousness through centuries of religious iconography, traditionally signifies sacrifice and redemption. Here, however, its presence seems to subtly imbue this ordinary moment with a sense of quiet contemplation, perhaps even a hint of melancholy. Consider how the cruciform has appeared in art across cultures. In ancient Celtic art, it was a symbol of cosmic balance, later adopted by Christianity and then appropriated in secular contexts to represent structure and order. Vuillard might be subconsciously tapping into this symbol, using its emotional weight to elevate a transient, personal moment into something more universal. This cross is not static but dynamic, subtly shaping our perception. The act of breaking bread takes on a deeper resonance, transforming it into a ritual loaded with symbolic meaning.