What does the "hard-boiled painting" mean?
Hello! I would like to get an explanation what does the expression "hard-boiled painting" mean? I read "The great Gatsby" of Fitzgerald, and there is a phrase in the book which says: "I never saw this great-uncle, but I'm supposed to look like him - with special reference to the rather hard-boiled painting that hangs in father's office". I can get what "hard-boiled eggs" means, or what is a "hard-boiled guy". But... "hard-boiled... painting"??? Is it a sarcasm, or an admiration, or something else?

Question

Answer

I think the "hard boiled" refers to the character in the painting rather than the painting itself.

In this sense "hard boiled" means rough, tough and unsentimental.
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/hard-boiled

Đừng bỏ lỡ cơ hội học ngoại ngữ ngay tại nhà. Hãy xem danh sách các gia sư ngôn ngữ giàu kinh nghiệm của chúng tôi và đăng ký buổi học đầu tiên ngay hôm nay!