Old Woman Saying Grace (The Prayer without End)

Nicolaes Maas

Contemporary-Art.org
Keywords: OldWomanSayingGracePrayer

Work Overview

Old Woman Saying Grace (The Prayer without End)
Nicolaes Maes
Datingc. 1656
oil on canvas
oil paint (paint)
134 cm × w 113 cm


An old woman prays devoutly before eating her meal. She does not let the begging cat tugging impatiently on the tablecloth distract her. The virtue of the old woman lies in her self-control and sense of duty to God. Just like his teacher Rembrandt, Maes focuses attention on the essence of the scene through restricted lighting.