Soap Bubbles

A young man carefully blows a bubble while a child watches. Earlier Northern European paintings often used bubbles to evoke the brevity of life. Chardin concentrates on an ordinary activity, with its breath, care and waiting.

The young man leans over the ledge. His awkward, still posture conveys the care needed to sustain the fragile bubble.

A thin straw runs from mouth to fingers. A small movement of breath becomes the main action in an otherwise still scene.

The transparent bubble hangs below the hand. Faint highlights against the dark background make its surface visible.

The child on the right peers over the windowsill. Only his face and cap rise above its edge. He watches the bubble the older boy is blowing close to him.

A small cup stands on the left. This simple vessel completes the equipment of play and maintains the scene’s everyday character.

Chardin won recognition in the French Academy’s Salons for still lifes and domestic scenes. Familiar activities and objects supplied the material for close, attentive painting.