The widow’s penny
1839-1883
Édouard-Louis Dubufe captures a poignant biblical moment here, illustrating the famous story of the widow's mite. A grieving mother, draped in a heavy black veil, drops her very last coin into the church's wooden alms box while clutching her sleeping baby. Her two other children stand by with solemn, wide-eyed expressions, the little boy holding his hat respectfully, highlighting the family's poverty and deep faith. The heavy craquelure across the surface adds a layer of age and texture to this emotional 19th-century academic piece, reminding us of the timeless nature of sacrifice.
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