Broken Eggs

Jean-Baptiste Greuze's "Broken Eggs" (1756)

"Broken Eggs", painted by Jean-Baptiste Greuze in 1756, is an exemplary work of the Rococo period, executed in oil on canvas. The painting is renowned for its narrative quality, depicting a domestic scene that subtly conveys themes of innocence and moral lessons. Greuze's ability to capture emotion and detail in everyday life scenes contributed significantly to the genre painting's popularity in 18th-century France. As an artist, Greuze was celebrated for his skill in portraying human expressions and domestic drama, which resonated with the moralizing tendencies of the Enlightenment. His works often reflect a blend of sentimentalism and moral didacticism, characteristics that made him a favorite among the bourgeoisie. "Broken Eggs" remains a testament to Greuze's mastery in combining technical skill with narrative depth, influencing subsequent generations of genre painters.

"Broken Eggs" by Jean-Baptiste Greuze, created in 1756, is an oil on canvas painting that exemplifies the Rococo style with its detailed depiction of domestic life and moral undertones. The artwork, housed in the Musée Fabre in Montpellier, France, portrays a young woman lamenting over broken eggs, symbolizing lost innocence and the fragility of life.