The Ten Cent Breakfast
To scale 31 x 23 in on the wall
Representative Hand-applied gesso embellishment
About the Artwork
Painted during Metcalf's formative years at the Académie Julian in Paris, this work documents the harsh realities faced by American art students abroad in the 1880s, when a ten-cent breakfast represented both sustenance and sacrifice for aspiring painters. The canvas emerged from Metcalf's direct observation of his fellow expatriate artists, marking a crucial period before he would later join the Ten American Painters and help establish American Impressionism. This intimate genre scene demonstrates Metcalf's early commitment to realist subjects and his ability to find profound humanity in modest circumstances; the painting's honest portrayal of artistic poverty resonated with critics who recognized its authentic voice and technical sophistication, establishing Metcalf's reputation for combining European training with distinctly American sensibilities.
Product Specifications
- Finished size
- 31 x 23 in
- Frame
- Gold, premium resin, mitred
- Canvas
- Heavyweight Fredrix poly/cotton
- Finish
- Hand-applied gesso embellishment
- Inks
- Archival HP Latex, 100-year colorfastness
- Stretcher
- Solid poplar, kiln dried
- Hanging
- Wire and dust cover fitted
- Item
- 1651021
Shipping, Returns & Care
Shipping & Delivery
Free shipping in the continental U.S. on every order, every size.
Every piece is made to order and ships by the next business day (Monday–Friday). Most orders placed before 2 p.m. Eastern ship the same day. We email tracking the moment your piece ships.
Returns & The Love-It Guarantee
We want every Canvas Classic to find the right home. If your piece doesn't live up to the expectation we set, return it within 30 days for a full refund: no questions, no restocking fee, no shipping charges on us.
Pieces that arrive damaged in transit are replaced or refunded immediately. Email our team with a photo within 7 days of receipt.
Care & Hanging
Every piece arrives ready to hang: wire hardware pre-installed, kraft paper dust cover, gallery-finished corners.
Hanging: Every painting ships with a double-nail courtesy hook rated for every size, Estate included.
Care: Dust lightly with a soft, dry cloth as needed. Avoid direct sunlight to preserve the colors. Avoid hanging in high-humidity environments (bathrooms with active showers). Our finish is durable but is not waterproof.
What collectors say about our canvases.
Every Canvas Classic is the same museum-quality framed giclee; only the image changes. These are reviews from collectors across the collection.
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