H. Chr. Christensen, A Catalogue Raisonné of the Works of L. A. Ring no. 829 (supplement) under 1883.

Exhibited: Statens Museum for Kunst, “Mit bedste Kunstværk”, 1941 no. 202.

Kunstforeningen, “L. A. Ring”, 1953 no. 3.

Ordrupgaard, “L. A. Ring”, 1984 no 6, reproduced p. 31.

Literature: Peter Hertz, “L. A. Ring”, 1934 pp. 102–105, reproduced p. 105. Here the author states that the painting is probably from 1883, because it turns out that Ring often dated his paintings later, and he could not always remember the exact date!

Provenance: V. Winkel & Magnussen 1918 no. 52. Merchant V. Gliemann (1910). His auction, Winkel & Magnussen 4, 1922 no. 44, reproduced p. 5. Winkel & Magnussen auction 16, 1923 no. 52, reproduced p. 10, entitled “Mellemmaden skæres” (making the sandwich), sold to mr. Bergenholz. Director Carl Rasmussen (1941).

The charming painting was created in the home of the tailor Paul Jensen. The tailor’s family was often used as models by L.A. Ring during his early years. The tailor's wife Stine is in the process of buttering pieces of bread for their children Maren and Anders. The mother stands at a table upon which sits a recently polished copper kettle, a couple of cups and a plate with butter. The ten- to twelve-year-old Anders looks expectantly at his mother. He is seen in profile. His younger sister Maren stands by his side with a buttered piece of bread in her hand. She is seen from behind. Geraniums in the window sill. The sunlight flows into the cosy living room and illuminates the children's yellow-haired faces with the alcove in the background.