Stilleven met vis en groenten 1879 - 1880

Editor: So, this is "Stilleven met vis en groenten," a still life etching by Jules Dieudonné, dating from around 1879 to 1880. It feels incredibly tactile, almost like I could reach out and touch the rough textures of the vegetables and the fish scales. What draws your eye when you look at it? Curator: My gaze is held by the way Dieudonné orchestrates symbols of abundance and mortality. We have the fruits and vegetables representing life and the harvest, contrasted sharply with the fish, a traditional memento mori symbol, reminding us of life's fleeting nature. Do you notice how the objects are arranged? Editor: Yes, they seem casually placed, but there's definitely a composition at work, right? Not exactly a chaotic jumble. Curator: Precisely! It's an orchestrated spontaneity. The seemingly random arrangement echoes the natural world, where decay and growth coexist. This wasn't merely a depiction of food; it’s a commentary on existence itself. Does that layering of meaning resonate with you? Editor: Absolutely, I didn’t see that at first glance, but the contrast is quite striking now that you point it out. It's making me think about how we assign symbolic meaning to everyday objects. Curator: Indeed. And it is powerful. The fish, particularly, is a complex signifier, from religious iconography to simply signifying a meal, even an offering to the Gods of provision. That the artist chose to prominently feature it changes the meaning from sustenance to consideration of what is temporary and essential. How does viewing the etching change with this knowledge? Editor: It becomes much less about food and much more about contemplation... It almost seems…darker, even though it’s a still life. Curator: I agree. Now the still life tradition makes so much more sense. It’s been very enlightening! Editor: Yes, definitely food for thought. Thanks for your insights!