Croque Monsieur by Teddy Hansen

Mixed media on canvas.

2025

137W x 112H cm

This piece is about the pain a hardworking French baker had making the first loaf. A Croque Monsieur is a traditional French sandwich translating directly to ‘Bite Mr.’

The man would fetch water from his well which has become inhabited by a crocodile that keeps biting the rope meaning of his bucket. Behind the crocodile is a water wheel which would have been used to grind wheat into flower. The river has red parts from the crocodile’s victims making the flowing water the colour of the French flag. On the crocodile’s feet are a pair of crocs.