Het gebed voor de maaltijd 1786

Wybrand Hendriks made this watercolor, entitled 'The Prayer Before a Meal', to show a scene of Dutch domestic life sometime in the late 1700s. Hendriks presents us with an image of pious humility. A Dutch family bows their heads in prayer before a simple meal of bread and meat. This quiet moment contrasts with the Netherlands’ history of global commerce and colonial expansion. This family’s humble gratitude speaks to a religious and social value system that emphasizes moderation and contentment. The presence of a skull in the background serves as a memento mori, a reminder of mortality. This symbolizes that even in moments of everyday life, one should be mindful of their spiritual condition. To understand this artwork more fully, we can look to the religious literature, sermons, and social commentaries of the late 18th-century Netherlands. Doing so can reveal the cultural meanings embedded in this seemingly simple scene.