Charles-Édouard Frère (July 10, 1837 – November 2, 1894[1]) was a French painter of rural landscapes and daily life, known especially for paintings of horses and blacksmithing.

[3] Around 1847, the elder Frère settled the family in the village of Écouen, about eight miles north and a short train ride from Paris.

[4] A number of Americans including Henry Bacon spent time in Écouen, and Mary Cassatt made several visits.

It is a picture of his own son when a mere baby,[6] who, perched up in his table-chair, is dividing his time between munching his roll of bread-and-butter, and deranging the articles that are scattered about the table.

[2] In November, 1894, returning to his home in Écouen from painting at a rural site, he fell from a horse-cart running at full speed and died at the age of 57.