In his constant quest to record his adored family and their close friends in portrait and daily life, Eugène Carrière pared away all adornment to reveal the very essence of their personalities. The results, lauded by his close friend and collaborator Auguste Rodin, were received enthusiastically by the public and reveal the soul of fin de siècle French Symboliste art.

The artist’s children share a drink from a beer glass at Vernet’s, a favourite café in Dieppe which was frequented by artists, including Degas, Sickert and Jacques-Emile Blanche.