Interior with Old Woman and Boy, Paul-Constant Soyer, 1862

Rather than recording the quaint, but impoverished circumstances of the écouen villagers, soyer records a scene of happy domesticity. A young child gazes inquisitively at his grandmother, who has fallen asleep with her glasses in her lap. Beside her is a cat lapping its food. On the floor are potential threats to this tranquil scene-a toy drum and drumsticks. A vase of flowers on the mantel adds a cheerful note to the rustically, but adequately furnished room. Date: 1862. Place of creation: France. Dimensions: height: 19.5 cm (7.6 in); width: 14.9 cm (5.8 in). Medium: gouache, ink wash, paper. Collection: Walters Art Museum. Paul Constant Soyer - Interior with Old Woman and Boy - Walters 371589