The artwork, titled “After Chardin,” was created by Lucian Freud in 1999 using oil on canvas. This piece falls under the Expressionism art movement and belongs to the genre painting category. It is a modern interpretation of work by Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin, a French painter known for his still lifes and genre scenes.
In the artwork, two figures are depicted, engaging with a book or piece of paper. The scene captures a candid, intimate moment between the two, characterized by Freud’s distinctive expressive brushwork and rich, subdued color palette. One figure dressed in a worker’s attire appears to be teaching or explaining something to the other, who intently listens and participates. The painterly strokes and the detailed rendering of expressions convey a deep sense of humanity and connection, reflecting Freud’s skill in portraying psychological depth and relational dynamics. The figures’ clothing and the overall composition evoke an 18th-century ambiance, paying homage to Chardin’s influence while infusing Freud’s unique interpretive style.
