_Le Nain_ (French: 1588-1648).
There were three brothers of this name, the sons of a sergeant
at Laon, who all worked together as painters in Paris, and
became members of the Academy in 1648, in which year two of
them died. Mathieu painted historical subjects; he lived
till 1677. The very interesting and pleasing pictures, such
as the present one, most generally known as the works of Le
Nain, were probably painted by the other brothers--Louis and
Antoine--conjointly. Antoine was born in 1588; Louis in 1593.
Their works consist of familiar objects and incidents, such
as the "Peasants" and the "Blacksmith's Forge" in the Louvre;
they have a direct air of truth and realism, which is very
remarkable in contrast to the artificial taste by which other
French painters of the same period were inspired. Another work
by the brothers may be seen at Dulwich.