Saying Grace 1744

Bernard Lepicié created "Saying Grace" as an engraving after Jean-Siméon Chardin around 1744. This domestic scene provides insight into the cultural and societal values of 18th-century France. We see a mother figure carefully serving a meal, while two children are at the table. There is a sense of quiet reverence. The image evokes a sentimental depiction of family life, emphasizing the values of piety, gratitude, and domesticity. The presence of children highlights the era's increasing focus on childhood as a distinct phase of life, while the mother embodies the domestic ideal, nurturing her family through simple acts. The family is well-dressed which may indicate that they are middle-class. The act of saying grace before a meal underscores the importance of religion in daily life. Lepicié captures a moment of everyday spirituality, connecting faith to the intimacy of family. "Saying Grace" reflects a yearning for a more sincere existence, one anchored in faith, family, and the simple pleasures of life.