Mme Jourdain discovers her husband at the dinner which he gave to the Belle Marquise and the Count Dorante

William Powell Frith 1819 - 1909

Summary

Scene taken from Moliere's 'Le Bourgeois Gentilhomme' depicting a dinner party given for the Belle Marquise and Count Dorante by Monsieur Jourdain. Everyone is seated round a table feasting; a young servant stands behind to the right and a gentleman kneels down on the floor on the far right. All heads turn to see Madame Jourdain having joined the dinner party; she is dressed in black and can be seen from behind, on the far left of the picture. The room is luxurious with gilded interior decoration and rich tones of gold and green extending to the ceiling.