The artwork, titled “Lunch,” was created by George Tooker in 1964 in the United States. The piece is painted in tempera and is a notable example of Magic Realism within the genre of genre painting. It measures 50.8 by 66.04 centimeters and is housed at the Columbus Museum of Art in Columbus, Ohio.
This painting portrays a group of individuals engaged in the act of eating and drinking. The scene is characterized by a repetitive, almost hypnotic arrangement of figures, with each person seemingly absorbed in their own private world despite their close proximity. The use of muted, earthy tones adds a subdued and introspective atmosphere, while the precise, detailed rendering of the figures and surroundings demonstrates Tooker’s mastery of the Magic Realism style. The reflections in the mirrors amplify the sense of isolation and repetition, creating a hauntingly evocative visualization of modern life’s monotonous routines.
