The son of a constable in the working district of Vaugirard in Paris, Bonvin was largely self-taught. While employed as a clerk for the local police, he began to paint still lifes, a subject that he would favor throughout his career. He also portrayed, as here, themes of everyday life, often inspired by family and close friends. It was not until 1840 that Bonvin could devote his efforts solely to his art, aligning himself with the Realist movement. His intimate genre scenes and still lifes are reminiscent of the work of his 18th century countryman, Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin and of Dutch 17th-century interior views.