Cinderella at the Kitchen Fire 1843

Thomas Sully painted Cinderella at the Kitchen Fire, using oil paints to depict the scene. It’s interesting to consider the materials that Sully chose for this painting, and how they reflect the story itself. Oil paint allowed Sully to create a sense of depth and texture in the image, capturing the contrast between Cinderella's delicate features and the rough texture of the fireplace behind her. Notice the difference between the muted colors of the hearth, and the bright, vibrant colors used to depict Cinderella's stepsisters in the background. The act of depicting Cinderella next to the tools of domestic labor, such as the dark iron pot, creates a social commentary. This symbolizes the class differences between Cinderella and her stepsisters, highlighting the amount of labor involved in maintaining a household. Ultimately, Cinderella at the Kitchen Fire reminds us of the importance of labor, class, and the materials of everyday life. This all contributes to the overall understanding of this classic fairy tale.