Chestnuts: A Small Scene of Innocent Happiness

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“Chestnuts" by the French painter Paul-Charles Chocarne-Moreau (1855-1931)

This painting captures a simple but delightful street scene, filled with innocence, warmth and a gentle sense of happiness.

The first thing that strikes one in this painting is the prevailing sense of bonhomie, innocence and delight. There is a smile on everyone's face, which immediately makes us feel good about the scene.

It is a lovely street setting. Roasted or butter-fried chestnuts have long been a popular street food and are even today sold on the streets in several parts of Europe, particularly liked by tourists. The boys here seem to have picked the chestnuts themselves and have brought them over to sell. One of them appears to be carrying a nut wizard (a chestnut harvester), while another boy is carrying on his head a wicker basket, presumably filled with the harvested chestnuts. Chestnuts are usually harvested from September to November, and the background does suggest the setting of autumn. It is interesting how the artist juxtaposes the joie de vivre of the children against the dull autumnal evening.

The painting nicely captures a humorous moment where one of the boys tries to pick up a hot chestnut from the frying pan. The old man appears to be telling him, in good humour, “I told you it’s hot!”, while the lady watches the scene indulgently.

The setting looks provincial from the clothes people are wearing and their general simplicity. There is no major architectural structure either, except for a clock tower in what appears to be a small town square, a good location for the chestnut seller.

There is a certain feel-good quality about the painting. The artist has placed happy, healthy (and independent) children at the centre of the composition and, in doing so, presents a small but touching picture of happiness, goodness and love for life..

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