This painting was one of few modern French paintings purchased by the Nationalmuseum at the turn of the 19th century. This work had enjoyed a great deal of attention when exhibited in Paris in 1902 and was acquired that same year for Sweden, probably due to its similarities with contemporary Nordic evocative painting. The artist has portrayed a family dinner at the home of his wife’s parents in Brittany – a part of France where he found many of his subjects. The woman to the right in the foreground is Simon’s wife Jeanne. Next to her is the artist himself, with their daughter on his knee