The Grinder’s Family

Traditionally, paintings have served to depict historically important events or celebrate the lives of rich and powerful people. Ter Borch gives attention to artisans and their mundane chores of everyday life, both by thoughtful placement of figures and surroundings, and by contrast to aspects of an economically privileged community.
 

		In the middle of the picture, two men are engaged in the grinding of a tool blade. They are surrounded by broken pots and toppled furniture. Their humble environment contrasts with their being totally absorbed in their work.
		Closer to us, a mother checks a child’s head for possible lice, a common but necessary practice that traditionally had not been considered as a subject for a painting.
		Tucked away in the background, furthest from the viewer, is a well-kept and sturdy house. By placing the surroundings of the common-folk closest to us the viewers, the artist seems to offer compassionate attention to those who are poor but live noble lives.

In the art of picture making, an artist can create a hierarchy by bringing the most important elements of a picture closest to the viewer. Here, the artist seems to offer compassionate attention to those who are poor but live noble lives.

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Image & Image Details: The Grinder's Family, ca. 1653; Oil on canvas. Staatliche Museen zu Berlin - Preussischer Kulturbesitz, Gemäldegalerie. Photo: Jörg P. Anders/bpk 2003.