This sublime early 20th-century oil painting by Dutch artist Bernard De Hoog (1867-1943) celebrates one of life's quietest luxuries - an hour of uninterrupted contentment.

Seated beside a leaded window, a young mother turns her attention to delicate needlework while her sleeping baby rests peacefully in a cradle. The demands of the day have briefly fallen silent. Sunlight washes across the table, illuminating a simple jug, a teacup, fresh flowers, and the fine white linen in her hands, while the broad Dutch landscape beyond the window offers a reminder of the calm world outside.

De Hoog orchestrates the scene with remarkable sensitivity. Every object contributes to an atmosphere of balance and harmony: the sturdy oak furniture, the basket of freshly laundered linen awaiting mending, the tiny pair of scissors resting on the table, and the flowers bringing a welcome burst of colour. The open window draws together the domestic and the natural worlds, allowing fresh air, soft light, and distant fields to become part of the home itself. 

De Hoog has elevated this ordinary domestic moment into something profound. The painting speaks of satisfaction found in simple routines, of craftsmanship, and the restorative rhythm of rural life. It's a vision of home as a place of equilibrium.

Signed in the lower right and held in a splendid late 19th-century Louis XIV Revival gilt frame with a broad, richly ornamented swept profile, finely cast with scrolling acanthus foliage, flowering sprays, shells, and rocaille-inspired motifs.

Learn more about Bernard De Hoog in our directory.

Medium: Oil on canvas
Overall size: 31” x 36½” / 79cm x 93cm
Year of creation: c. 1920
Provenance: Private collection, UK.
Condition: Cleaned. Revarnished. Frame in good condition with minor age-related wear.
Artist’s auction maximum: £31,669 achieved in 2012 for ‘Mother with Playing Children’.
Our reference: BRV2310