Still life 1871

François Bonvin captured this still life with oil on canvas. The arrangement features ripe strawberries in a woven basket, a simple metal goblet, and a wine bottle—domestic symbols of modest indulgence. Strawberries, historically linked with Venus, the goddess of love, signal sensuality and pleasure. I am reminded of their earlier appearance in medieval tapestries, symbols of earthly delights. Yet, Bonvin's rendering is far from the overt displays of wealth seen in earlier Dutch still lifes; there's a quiet intimacy here. The dark background and the subdued lighting evoke a sense of introspection. Bonvin masterfully taps into our collective memory, linking these humble objects to broader themes of temporality, desire, and the transient nature of beauty. It’s a visceral, almost subconscious connection that reminds us of the simple joys in life and their fleeting presence. The persistence of such imagery in our visual language underscores the enduring power of these symbols.