Chardin And Zurbaran

Lizzeth Cano- Art History 102

Visual Analyzes

The works of art Still Life with Cooking Utensils, by Jean-Batsite Simeon Chardin and Still Life with Lemons, Oranges, and a rose, by Francisco de Zurbaran have similar aspects. Both Chardin and Zurbaran chose to represent the social classes of society through the objects represented in the paintings. Charpin chooses to represent the lower class and differs from Zurbaran because of the brush strokes that are visible in the painting. However, Zurbaran represents the upper class also through the utensils that are seen in the painting, but they can also represent a religious setting. Zurbaran has a more naturalistic approach in his painting because the brush strokes are not visible in the
For example, his use of the brown jug is not a typical jug that one might see in an upper class home. His use of the white cloth gives more attention to the objects placed on the table. The paintings makes one assume that it is in a lower class environment because of the hook that is holding the meat in place. The reason why this conveys a lower class domesticity is because it is the farmers who sell the meat and since there are onions placed under the meat along with the pot in the background which can be suggested that they are some type of lower class person or a servant who resides in that home. His painting also conveys the necessities of life which suggest that the painting has a humanistic approach. For example, he shows clothes, water, and food which is what one needs to survive. The painting also depicts no valuable possessions within the painting because there are no costly items like silver or gold cooking utensils in the painting. The painting does not convey a high use naturalism because one can see the brush strokes in the painting. However, there are some humanistic aspects to the painting. For example, one can see the light reflected in the water jug and the cloth in which the objects are placed is not flat. Another aspect of realism that is portrayed in the painting are the reflections of the objects in the painting. For example, the bottom half of the meat reflects the brown color of the water jug on the bottom. Another reflection that can be seen within the painting is the metal spoon that is reflected in the pot, the pot almost seems like one can see inside the pot and see the spoon but it is just the reflection of the spoon. One can also see how the are wrinkles in the cloth. Also, the background in which the table is placed one can see that it is not just a plain background. The table seems to be placed in the corner of a