DISCOVERART

François Bonvin

The Maid

c. 1875
Oil on canvas
44.5 × 30.8 cm (17.5 × 12.1 in)

SEE IT IN PERSON

● On view now — Gallery 223

Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago · verified July 2026

View at artic.edu ↗Plan a visit ↗

Discussion

FROM THE ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO’S CATALOG

This maid pours blood from a flayed ox’s head as she prepares to make a delicacy known as headcheese. Such paintings of everyday life were popular in late 19th-century France; as the nation experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization, audiences appreciated imagery that romanticized traditional rural life, with its perceived simplicity and virtuousness. François Bonvin regularly executed genre scenes reminiscent of works by 18th-century French artist Jean Siméon Chardin , who also celebrated the quiet dignity of domestic labor.

Source ↗

Be the first to share your thoughts.

Sign in to join the discussion.

Community guidelines

More by François Bonvin

Portrait of a WomanPortrait of a WomanYoung Woman with a Mandolin, Portrait of Louison KöhlerYoung Woman with a Mandolin, Portrait of Louison KöhlerBoat on a Beach, Le TréportBoat on a Beach, Le TréportAttributes of MusicAttributes of MusicStudy for The Blacksmith's Shop: Remembrance of Le Tréfort Study for The Blacksmith's Shop: Remembrance of Le Tréfort A Nun Seated at a Table KnittingA Nun Seated at a Table KnittingThe Stretcher Bearer (Study for "Le Couvreur tombé")The Stretcher Bearer (Study for "Le Couvreur tombé")François Bonvin EtchingFrançois Bonvin Etching

More like this

De wafelbaksterAlexander Hugo Bakker Korff — De wafelbaksterYoung Woman Peeling ApplesNicolaes Maes — Young Woman Peeling ApplesHet melkmeisjeJohannes Vermeer — Het melkmeisjeWoman Drawing Water from a Water Urn (The Water Urn)Jean-Siméon Chardin — Woman Drawing Water from a Water Urn (Woman Scouring a VesselWillem van Odekercken — Woman Scouring a VesselA KitchenHendrick Sorgh — A KitchenVrouw aan de maaltijd, bekend als ‘Het ontbijt van de kat’Gabriël Metsu — Vrouw aan de maaltijd, bekend als &#821Peasant Family at a WellThe Master of the Children's Caps — Peasant Family at a WellThe HousekeeperHendrik Martensz. Sorgh — The HousekeeperAfter Milking TimeHendrik van der Burgh — After Milking TimeItalian WomanEdgar Degas — Italian WomanWoman Doing Wash (The Washerwoman)Jean-Siméon Chardin — Woman Doing Wash (The Washerwoman)