Morning, Interior (1890 CE)

Matinée en intérieur or in English, “Morning, Interior”, painted by Maximilien Luce in 1890, is a key example of Neo-Impressionism. This oil on canvas work, measuring 64.8 x 81 cm (25 1/2 x 31 7/8 inches), showcases Luce’s distinctive use of Pointillism, a technique that involves applying small, dot-like brushstrokes to build vibrant color and light. The painting captures an intimate moment of the artist’s close friend, Gustave Perrot, in a modest, sunlit room.

“Morning, Interior” was created during the height of the Neo-Impressionist movement in 1890, a time when Luce was deeply engaged in social and political issues. The painting’s focus on working-class life reflects broader societal changes brought on by industrialization. Luce and his contemporaries, such as Georges Seurat, sought to challenge traditional art forms by combining modern scientific color theory with everyday scenes. The subject of the painting, Gustave Perrot, was a fellow Neo-Impressionist artist and a close companion of Luce. His early death around 1891 or 1892 left few visual records of his life, with this painting being one of the few depictions of him.

Gustave Perrot, shown dressing in the painting, worked as an architectural gilder, which may have influenced his own sensitivity to art and craftsmanship. His friendship with Luce was a significant aspect of both their personal and professional lives. The painting serves not only as a personal homage to Perrot but also as an exploration of the dignity of the working-class artisan. Despite its seemingly ordinary subject matter, the painting is imbued with emotional resonance, memorializing Perrot in the wake of his untimely death.

As a Neo-Impressionist work, “Matinée en intérieur” reflects the broader artistic movement’s desire to merge technique with social commentary. Luce’s use of Pointillism—a technique pioneered by Seurat—symbolizes the interplay of light and color, while also emphasizing the structural and technical aspects of painting. The depiction of a working-class subject aligns with Luce’s political leanings and interest in social realism. He sought to elevate the everyday lives of artisans and laborers, portraying them with a quiet dignity often overlooked by contemporary society.

The painting is executed in oil on canvas and measures 64.8 x 81 cm (25 1/2 x 31 7/8 inches). It exemplifies Luce’s mastery of Pointillism, with its finely applied stippled brushstrokes. The color palette, primarily muted earth tones and soft light, demonstrates his control over light and atmosphere. The brushwork, though meticulous, maintains an overall harmony, which was a hallmark of the Neo-Impressionist technique.

“Morning, Interior” has a significant place in the history of art collecting. It was bequeathed to The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York in 1967 by Adelaide Milton de Groot, a notable American art collector. Since then, it has been part of the museum’s prestigious collection, allowing viewers worldwide to appreciate this intimate glimpse into 19th-century French life.