Stilleben Med Lökar 1882

Eugène Jansson painted "Stilleben Med Lökar", or Still Life with Onions, rendering ordinary kitchen staples with reverence. Jansson, living in Sweden at a time of immense social change and industrialization, often found beauty in the everyday. This painting isn't merely about onions; it subtly reflects the lives of working-class Swedes. Onions, a humble food, were a common part of the Swedish diet, especially for those with limited means. The composition, with its earthy tones, is simple but intimate, suggesting a quiet dignity in domestic life. Jansson, as a gay man in a heteronormative society, perhaps found solace and beauty in the overlooked aspects of life, as the still life genre during this period often served as a means for artists to explore themes of intimacy. The rough texture of the onions and the aged jar evoke a sense of time and history, hinting at the enduring nature of simple sustenance in the face of societal shifts. Through this painting, Jansson invites us to find value and meaning in the ordinary, and to reflect on the lives and stories embedded in simple objects.