Breakfast time 1887

Hanna Hirsch-Pauli painted this oil on canvas, titled 'Breakfast time', at an unknown date. This seemingly simple image invites us to consider the social and cultural context in which it was made. Look at the opulence of the breakfast setting. The gleaming silverware, delicate china, and pristine white tablecloth speak to a life of privilege and leisure. This scene reflects the values of the Swedish upper class, with a focus on domesticity and refined taste. The maid's presence also reminds us of the social hierarchies of the time. What does it mean to have someone dedicated to serving your breakfast? By examining Hirsch-Pauli’s biography and the social history of Sweden at this time, we can better understand how this painting reflects and perhaps subtly critiques, the social structures of its time. Art history isn't just about aesthetics, it's about understanding the world that created and was shaped by the artwork.