This Provocative Painting Went Too Far 

You missed an option to describe the trio: They are all siblings. The girls see an attractive man, possibily a rogue or rake; he acknowledges the girl's stares with his own leering. The older girl is of an age to understand what the rake is doing, and has a dismissive attitude: she isn't falling for his tricks. The Younger Sister is completely, totally, invested in this staring contest. She doesn't understand the full ramifications of what will happen, should she follow the man; hence the 'come hither' look. She is on the verge of 'coming of age' and is ready to become a woman, and potentially a wife and mother. The brother sees the 'bedroom eyes' of his sisters and turns to see what they are staring at, and he reacts, as a protective brother would- especially since the younger sister is trapped against the wall, and her brother is sitting across from her. The napkin hat: I believe this is a traditional head wear and the older sister wearing it , indicates she is 'off the market and isn't shopping for a husband.' The only time a woman's head was bare, was in her teen years when she was actively looking for a husband. Notice the older sister's earrings are studs, while the younger sister's earrings are long drops, excentuating her neck. Her raven hair hair is pulled back from her face showing lots of skin around her neck and her upper chest. The decanters... that is a common design for wine decanters, because they are still made today; the same decanters are on the table of men behind them. They could be phallic symbols or it's just a coincidence. The design of the decanters might, and a big might, be specifically designed as phallic symbles, but I don't know the historic origins of the decanters. Those pesky Romans had all kinds of lurid symbols in their utilitarian objects. Since Bloch was so good at capturing emotion... the emotion on that cat's face tells me: she is there for a hand out. I agree with you: this painting has far more emotional intrique than the original painting this was fashioned after. This painting tells a story, where as the other one is just a glimpse of two girls welcoming their father to the table. No tension what so ever.

Some call it the most judgmental painting of all time. I feel judged by them. And I don't even know what I did!

I think the trio are two sisters and a brother, because one sister looks like she's in love with whoever she's looking at, the other definitely leans in to say, "hey, look, it's her ~crush~", and the brother looks back with a murderous intent because to him she's still a baby

The thing that strikes me is how modern his subjects look - change their clothes for jeans and sundresses and I’d expect to run into any of them on the street. Most historical painters have such a stylized way of representing people, even realistic greats like Leonardo Da Vinci, that it’s hard to see the subjects as fully everyday people - they are exaggerated in some way. These subjects all just look completely real and it’s really cool seeing that

I think that he is the brother to both of the women. This is in a time where the brother would be extremely protective of his sisters. Protective to the point of violence if necessary. To me they all have a slight resemblance to each other so I'm guessing it's just a family at lunch but the brother is not cool with people looking at his sisters. I think it's an attitude of that generation and I'm also thinking that they might be rural people who are not used to the city. They seem to be wearing rural outfits.

Damn when the artists could paint a whole movie with full character arcs. RESPECT.

The kind of look people give to a screaming baby on a 10 hour flight Edit: Thank you so much for 1.6k likes never had more than that in my life!

I wanted you to comment on “napkin lady’s” expression. Having taught middle school for years I feel I recognize that expression as a look of amused disdain. That clear upward tilt of her eyebrow and the slight curl at the corner of her mouth. I’ve seen that look too many times. And the artist has rendered the faces of each of the other two people at the table with strikingly different expressions. The man slashes at us with his angry glare while the coquette taunts and flirts shamelessly with us.

the look of disgust on the man is one of my favorite reaction pictures to use. such a great capture of emotion

We appreciate your analyses. You really take into account all the details being associated with these paintings.

My favourite part is simply Carl Bloch's ability with a brush: the beautiful silk' skirt, their skin, every little detail is exquisitely executed, timeless.

Every time I see this painting, i just think that the people in it are looking at me in ridicule and mockery, as if I'm some kind of dunce.

I am so disapointed in myself right now, i have seen this painting so many times on Instagram and i just now notice that there is a kitty behind the lady with the red pearl necklace 😅. But what you said about the cat representing promiscuity in some paintings is really interesting, have you consider making a video about animal symbolism in paintings and art in general?

The level of detail in this painting is incredible. The skin looks so realistic, in the foreground and in the background, their eyebrows with the downward growing hairs at the arches, I'm amazed

I've read a theory that the woman with the napkin on her head is eating or going to eat a bird called an ortolan bunting. The birds were captured in nets, overfed with grain to fatten them up and then drowned in brandy to marinate them. How wikipedia describes the cooking process: The bird is roasted for eight minutes and then plucked. The consumer then places the bird feet first into their mouth while holding onto the bird's head. The ortolan is then eaten whole, with or without the head, and the consumer spits out the larger bones. The traditional way French gourmands eat ortolans is to cover their heads and face with a large napkin or towel while consuming the bird. The purpose of the towel is debated. Some claim it is to retain the maximum aroma with the flavour as they consume the entire bird at once, others have stated "Tradition dictates that this is to shield - from God’s eyes - the shame of such a decadent and disgraceful act", and others have suggested the towel simply hides the consumers spitting out bones.

I definitely think they all look threatening, especially since the girl to the right is drinking wine the color of blood and the girl to the left holds her sharp fork directly over the decanter holding more of the substance, like blood could be trickling down to it.

I loooove this painting!!!😀😀🙌 I am danish and i live in Copenhagen where this painting hangs in the national gallery. It has actually been voted the most popular paining in the entire gallery. What i love most about this painting is, that there are so many possibilities of what is happening in it. It is so mysterious, is it literal? is it a metaphor for something? What is the deal with the cat? It is like it knows something. It knows whats going in here….And then it is just masterfully painted! BTW There will be a big exhibition with Carl Bloch’s painting in 2023 from 11 of February to may 29’th in the Danish National Gallery in Copenhagen.

These paintings look like photographs. Such great detail. The cat looks real

Watching your videos makes me realize the depth and fascinating stories that exist in every painting you analyze! Thank you so much!

My first impression was that the three were gossiping or plotting revenge about someone and they're glaring at the someone in the painting lmao

You are one of my favorite channels. Insightful, informative, and so unique in your presentation and delivery. Anyone can relay facts - to do it through a singular voice as you do makes for some delicious eating for your fans!

Thank you soooo much to the person or persons behind this content! I only recently came upon this channel and I am so grateful for your work. Please keep at it. I'm looking forward to the next one!

Goes to show how art speaks differently to everyone, my immediate interpretation upon seeing it for the first time was thinking these three were talking shit about me. As if the man and the girl in the back were like "Ugh why are THEY here" while the girl with the headpiece seems like she's happy for the oportunity to mock us. It took a second glance to notice the saucy looks. While I appreciate art, I'm not very knowledgeable about it, I appreciate your videos introducing me to a new painting at a time, usually to artists I've never heard of.

Another fascinating art critique. I’m learning that the details are everything.

I have learned so much about looking deeper into the paintings I see and doing some research. The history and analysis adds so much. Thank you.

Amazing painting, amazing faces, eyes, and costumes...thank you for introducing us to the masterpieces... Also, I did not expect the painting to be that large, wow, it fills the room...

art is so beautiful. the things you can tell with zero words and just words. honestly i love your voice and how you describe the art. you make my day better when you upload :)

Another option: the POV is Andersen's, the only one missing at the table of friends in the back He went wondering around the osteria, acted quirky as per usual & captured the three protagonists attention

What a beautiful portrait. It captured The look of attraction in a young teenager captured along with the usual reaction of their immediate family members.

I really, really enjoy these videos. You show us what you see, and what you think about what you see and take us along the way. I neither mind nor care for the booms, but I deeply appreciate being shown what I would have otherwise missed. Thanks!

I love this channel so much I always look forward to your next video!

Always loved the expressions and storytelling of this painting. My personal point of view and estimation as a Mediterranean like the Italians in the picture, is that the 3 of them are siblings and the brother is protective of his sisters' honour. Also this type of food and bottles are quite common in our lands, so this scene is extremely familiar to all of us because it could be a very common thing to happen and even portrayed in our older films as well.

a big fan of your videos...they are always a treat for any art lover. also please try to get more paintings from 16th and 17th century

Excellent. Keeping it simple. An engaging male attracted the obvious interested attention of the two young ladies and the other males is not amused. A captured moment in time. A moment constantly echoed through time.

This is the type of painting that makes me wonder why I didn't try to learn drawing and painting since the day I was born. It is so rich in detail that it takes what could be a mundane scene to an intriguing mystery. Thanks for covering this one!

I feel like the man in the painting seems threatened by the viewer (us) And the lady's seem to be giving provocative stares to us. I'm assuming this painting is almost an ego boost for anyone viewing it. The man seeing us as competition and the ladies seem to be drawn/mesermised by us......makes us feel wanted, desired, powerful in a way

this painting is so fun. my personal theory is that we said or did something embarrassing and they’re all reacting. the guy looks a bit disturbed, the girl in the middle finds it funny, and the one on the end finds the whole situation awkward

Your brilliant analyses are so insightful! Every artwork you study gives us a treasure box full of historical realities embellished with intriguing twists and turns. I clicked on someone's post about a secret 'cringe' in Edward Hopper's "Nighthawks" that was woeful trash. He had pointless animations showing characters from different perspectives but never offered any trenchant observations--not even explaining the element of cringe in his clickbait title! His commenters felt bitter at being cheated, and I was happy to tell them to check out your channel, because YOU DELIVER THE GOODS. Thank you!

To me the 3 appear to be "trash talking". Doesn't look like googly "flirt eyes" to me. Those are the looks you get when you walk in on people talking bad about you.. 😬

I'm always super excited when you drop a new banger!!! Thanks to you, my kids are way more interested in art!! You humor is fresh and magnetic!!! Thank you!!! By far my favorite RU-vidr!!!!

I absolutely love this channel! I have been noticing the details of great pieces of art I have failed to grasp before; I am learning so much. I thought that the head-napkin lady was giving the viewer a more mocking look all this time, but after hearing all this analysis I am absolutely reconsidering haha

I have had this picture hanging in my kitchens for 40 years - and it keep intriguing me - I like your analysis a lot - and you added new knowledge about the picture - that it had actually hung in the living room of the Melchior family.

I'm binging your videos now. Everything you say is very insightful and great but the editing is what keeps me coming back :D

I've viewed this paining it is in the National Gallery of Denmark in Copenhagen. A thing to note is that the "napkin lady" could be interpreted as eating a Ortolan bunting which was such a sinful act that it required you to cover your head with a napkin. This would of course add to the spice of the painting.

I'm so glad you covered it, it's my favourite painting!!

I like how the subject of the painting is the viewer (whoever the people at the table are looking at) and is essentially being told “you are so attractive and desirable that it’s threatening to others”. The painting essentially serves as a subconscious ego-boost for anyone that glances at it. Perfect to hang in a gathering place like a dining room where you want your guests to feel good about themselves as they enter your space.

Wow. Hearing you describe art is amazing! Never heard someone describe it as good as you!

Love this presentation and the highlights of Bloch's great paintings. Well done!

To me, the guy at the table looks like he feels threatened, jealous. As if the girl looking at us flirtatiously is his love, or that he wants her to be his. And, the other girl just looks like she's feeling awkward about the situation.

I am very glad that you found a good video format, I love it so much!!! These are beautiful little things, just like the paintings you feature!

Love your commentary. I used to think I was a person who noticed details but your videos make me want to look beyond the obvious and re-examine everything.

They seem like they don't want anyone near them. Your channel is great by the way! ❤

The expression on the face of the man tightly clinching the sharp fork and the expression on the cats face seem to mirror each other. It’s fascinating the story a picture can tell! I took a art history course and paintings will never be the same.

He looks like the older brother tasked with watching over his younger sisters. They get awfully protective when someone catches the youngest sister's eye

Such a fantastic channel! I can't get enough! So great!

I love how the expression on the cat's face matches the hoomans! The cat is my fav part of the painting, but I'm a cat lady so that's not a surprise.

This reminds me of a Romanian play " Stormy night" (I. L Caragiale). A man goes to see a cabaret with his wife and his sister in law. At one point he discovers that a young man at another table is staring at the women. Being very jealous, he stares back at the youth, threateningly. The same thing happens the next time they go to a show. The husband is convinced the youth is after his wife and plans to catch him following the women and give him a good beating. The youth is in fact infatuated with the sister, and indeed tries to visit her at home, but by a horrible coincidence, he enters the wife's room. Her husband is doing night patrols as part of a civilian police force. He is just passing by the house when he suddenly sees a shadow at his wife's window. All hell breaks loose. A whole party of angry men with guns and swords enters the yard seeking for the unfortunate youth who tries desperately to hide. The sister arrives and starts screaming. Complete chaos. The incident is resolved when the identity and romantic preference of the youth are revealed. The husband is very relieved that his wife has been faithful to him all this time.... but the funny thing is that she hasn't. In fact, she is having an affair with her husband's most trusted servant. But only us, the public know that. The husband is kept oblivious till the end. I absolutely love this play. You can find it on youtube . Ill post the link if i find it. Edit : the play is at this link : ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-zHypJxWuhjw.html

This painting is timeless. It could have occurred 3000 years ago, or a century ago, or yesterday. Maybe it is outside of time altogether, and the cat is the time master. Brilliant analysis on your part as usual.

I'm so happy u created content for this now my wondering about this piece is satisfied. Thankyou so muccchh always looking forward to your contentt 😭✨

These videos are so amazing! Thank you ❤️

I'm always late to these videos by several weeks. It's nice to be early (for me) for once. This whole painting screams 'new kid in school looking for a seat in the cafeteria' or 'I walked into the wrong pub' vibes

Alternative theory: the man is staring at the viewer in consternation because he saw the men behind his companions, then turned and saw the exact same men at another table behind him.

I wait with bated breath for these; they simply aren't long enough! I love them!!!😍

I adore your descriptions, and I definitely agree with others that they feel like siblings!

This artist is sooo good. I love the religious paintings from him :)

Personally I kinda dig the napkin hat!! With the exception of the Girl with the Pearl Earring I have never seen any of the paintings you’ve shown. I just like listening to your narratives of each one. Thanks for bringing them to the internet where those of us with absolutely no Art appreciation can enjoy them!

Just saw the painting last month, very timely video! Thanks!

Maravilloso trabajo. me encanta tu forma de explicar las pinturas.

I love how even the cat is like, "bugger off"

I have another option. The main characters on this painting are the three friends on the back. That pictures the moment when Moritz Melchior was telling his friends specially artist Carl Bloch the particular experience he had on his recent visit to Italy. The people on the right depicts the scene described by Mr Melchior through the imagination and talent of his artist friend Carl Bloch. The cat, well, the cat was the artist’s cat, looking at him painting and wondering when was he going to stop painting to feed him.

Never enjoyed art so much. *Thanks* !

i love your channel! I learn so much about art :)

I've never noticed the cat until now..... I've just been so distracted by the death stares of the people....

Great video, thanks for sharing this curious painting. I think the artist captured that second in which the eldest sister/cousin has finished telling the guy about the scene at his back (her mouth is still open) and he has immediately turned back. It's probably a guy, staring blatantly at the younger one.

Thank You very much, i didnt know the Piece, and your interpretation it's facinating

I love your style of interpretation, beautiful!

🤣😂 You're the best. I LOVE your videos. Your work needs to be incorporated into the Congressional Library so that BS can be cleansed from documentaries much like chlorine will act on water, so that we get only the unadulterated and "down-to-earth" interpretation of what really happened. You have a lot of talent and have a bright future ahead.

I know its already a pretty popular painting, but I'd love to see your analysis on Nighthawks by Edward Hopper

I love this painting.. part of what makes it so interesting is the open question…”just what the hell is going on?” I like work that makes you think. It’s also very funny.

Thank you so much for this video, atleast i'm not gonna be bored while drawing❤️❤️🌺

Wake up babe new Art Deco video just dropped

I’ve never seen this painting before and they all look like they’re gossiping and laughing at me😭

I always look forward to more content from this channel ❤️

I freaking love your videos. I really want to thankyou for making western art fun for me. I learn more about these paintings from you. Excited to learn more. Love from India.♥️🧡🌼

The number of memes this painting has on its own is impressive. Feels good to know its history as well.

It just feels like they’re mocking me, perhaps I, the viewer have done something controversial and they saw me mid gossip and just judged me like a group of teenage girls.

Thank you for sharing this amazing painting with me!

That girl isn't looking flirtatiously. She's looking forward to the scene that is about to occur. It's not a flirt, it's schadenfreude, she won't be the one who hurts you, but she'll enjoy watching you getting hurt.

I absolutely love your videos, and I'm very grateful you share these with us. Congratulations for the great work and excellent sense of humour! I'd like to say that, to me, the lady on the left looks a bit incredulous... her right eyebrow (to our left) is straightened, contracted (the other, relaxed, is nicely arched); this feeling of "I don't believe it..." can be only surprise, of even some disdain. The girl on the center could be drinking to cover her own will to laugh, and her provocative eyes can be... well, provocative, but on the other sense. Something to make us angry, or to make us react: "Will you leave it like this...?" If so many insects "landed", they are looking at us, motionless, for quite some time. I'd say that we did something pretty ridiculous on that scene to deserve those looks.

I just want gold extended tear drop earrings like those in this painting. Gorgeous.

Love your amusing narration. Thank you for educating this non art person about the finer things in life. ❤

Even THE CAT is judging us...😊

Could it also be that he was dining with two ladies of the night and his wife, or someone he knew, surprised him? The ladies jewelry and rather expensive attire would leave me to believe they were not maids or factory workers. And the angry and worried look on his face, along with the young ladies amused expression, lead me to believe he was found out.

To me, the middle lady looks like she'll rip my heart out in my sleep. Love your videos!

Love these videos, thank you.

THANK YOUUU!!!

Another great video! Thumbs up! Now as we are speaking of provocative Art.. how do you feel of speaking about "L'Origine du monde" by Gustave Courbet? I'm wondering whether there is some interesting backstory or meaning behind the very explicit content...

I did not know how interested in arts I am, before I found your channel.

This painting is seared into my mind because the first time I saw it was illustrating an article about the Ortolan bunting eating ritual-a small songbird eaten whole (with bones and all), a meal so decadent that the eaters cover their faces with a veil while they eat it. If you are sensitive don't look it up, it's somehow even crazier than foie gras. Some people seem to think the ''napkin hat'' is linked to this meal (because of the veil) but I doubt it, since it's a French dish and the painting depicts an Italian scene. This painting definitely stays with you even without sinful meals though (the decanter did it for me this time lol).

This painting makes me feel like I just walked in on them laughing and talking sh*t about me