Breakfast, Honey

Mayrig Simonjan’s Breakfast, Honey is a sumptuous still life painted in oil on board, where the simple ritual of breakfast is elevated into a work of art. A neat stack of golden pancakes, draped in glossy honey, is adorned with fresh blueberries and walnuts, creating a rich and inviting composition. The artist’s realism captures not only the form but also the texture—the sheen of honey as it drips, the softness of the pancakes, and the subtle matte surface of the ceramic plate.

Rendered in a palette that balances warmth and depth, Simonjan contrasts the glowing ochres and ambers of the pancakes with the deep midnight blues of the berries and the earthy browns of walnuts. Against the dark, understated background, the plate and its contents emerge with theatrical clarity, reminiscent of the still life traditions of the Dutch Golden Age. The folds of the linen cloth beneath the plate add a touch of elegance and domestic familiarity, grounding the composition in a scene that feels both luxurious and intimate.

This work speaks to Simonjan’s gift for transforming everyday subjects into timeless icons of comfort and abundance. By focusing on detail, texture, and the sensual qualities of food, the painting becomes more than representation—it evokes memory, taste, and longing. Breakfast, Honey is not simply an image of food but an invitation to slow down, savour, and appreciate the beauty in life’s simplest pleasures.