The Lentil Eater 17th-18th century

Curator: This is Bernard Picart's etching "The Lentil Eater," part of the collections at the Harvard Art Museums. Editor: It's certainly... chaotic. The expressions are so exaggerated, almost grotesque. What's happening here? Curator: We see a family scene, seemingly focused on the preparation or consumption of lentils. The figures—mother, father, and child—are rendered with very pronounced features. Editor: I wonder if it's a commentary on poverty and diet. Lentils being a staple for the poor, the exaggerated features could symbolize the hardships they face. Curator: An intriguing reading. I would also note the compositional balance—the mother and father mirroring each other, framing the child. Editor: A deliberate choice. It's hard to ignore the social critique here, the stark portrayal of everyday life. Curator: Perhaps it invites us to look beyond the surface and consider the socio-economic forces that shape our lives. Editor: Indeed. Even through its somewhat caricatured figures, it makes a powerful statement about class and survival.