Gezelschap aan tafel aan het vasten after 1826

Joseph Ambroise Jobard created ‘Gezelschap aan tafel aan het vasten,’ sometime in the early 19th century. Jobard lived in a time of significant social change following the French Revolution, and his work often reflected the shifting societal norms and values of the period. This image offers a glimpse into the domestic life of a bourgeois family, highlighting the performative aspects of social gatherings. The figures are captured in a moment of supposed fasting, yet the abundance of food on the table subtly mocks the idea of abstinence, revealing the hypocrisy and superficiality of the upper class. The dynamics between men, women and children also reveal social hierarchy and gendered roles within the family. The women are engaged in serving and caretaking roles, reinforcing traditional expectations. The composition invites you to reflect on the tension between public appearance and private reality, prompting questions about authenticity, social expectations, and the ways in which individuals navigate societal norms.