Jehan Georges Vibert (French, 1840-1902) The Marvelous Sauce, ca. 1890 Oil on canvas, 25 x 32" Bequest of Elisabeth H. Gates, 1989

This painting lets us travel back in time. We are inside someone's house. How is this kitchen the same and how is it different from our kitchens today? Brass cooking pots were expensive, as was the fancy tile floor. What other things give us the idea that this was a wealthy house? The iron stove is huge! But there was no electricity or gas! How do you think the cook heated up the stove? What do you think they are having for dinner?

The shield-shaped object on the side of the stove is called a coat-of-arms. Coats-of-arms were symbols of noble families. The man in the red gown and the white apron is the owner of the house. He is a cardinal, an important and powerful official in the Catholic Church. Why do you think they were called cardinals? The other man, with his special hat and apron, is the cardinal's cook. He has just tasted one of his employer's creations. Judging from his facial expression and gesture, what do you think the cook thinks of the sauce? Who thinks it's "marvelous," as the title of the painting says? What do you think will happen next?

This painting is meant to be funny, but Vibert (vee-bear) is also making fun of the cardinal. The coat-of-arms lets us know that his family is rich and probably powerful. Maybe he was appointed cardinal of his position. And perhaps he spends a little too much time in the kitchen, eating when he should be working for the Church.