Liliana Quinones - New York City
Can you advise as to how to purchase a copy of this painting. I am interested in sunflowers and I like his depiction in this painting.

susan quekett, east grinstead
This painting is, in a reconstructed compositional sense, a true reflection of everyday life in the 17th century. Today we believe that life then was harder then, due to lacks in plumbing, power and communications. Yet van Mierls shows us time (if fleeting) to watch the child, to hold the dog, to pick and arrange a flower to brighten the living space. We have the fruits of progress and we have lost this precious time, rushing out to work, putting our children in care, leaving our pets and flowers alone in our homes.

Geetha Venugopal Chennai
This painting is so full of life, I wonder how the artist brings life into paitings with strokes of their brushes. Looking a while at this painting makes me feel the boy would jump or turn in glee the next second. Makes you want to keep looking at it

Donna Camblin from Palmyra, NY , USA
I think the artist also was using light to gauge time in some way as it decreases from the boy to his mother and even the dog she is holding. + I never thought of people blowing bubbles in the 17th century.

Michael Albert from Orchard Park, New York
The mother looks a bit pensive, perhaps recalling her youth and the rapidity with which it has passed..and will do so for her son. Poignant statement on the fleeting time we have.

Claire Graham from Glasgow
This is the first time I have seen this painting - it's magical? Perhaps the woman in the painting is the boy's mother - what a lovely expression she has - I think most adults of this generation can remember blowing bubbles in their childhood - and the great fun it gave - from generation to generation simple pleasures remain much the same!