Eggplants and Pomegranates 1890 - 1943

Curator: Ah, Marsden Hartley's "Eggplants and Pomegranates." Its creation dates somewhere between 1890 and 1943, offering us a glimpse into his evolving artistic vision. You'll find it residing here at the SMK, Statens Museum for Kunst. Editor: Oh, my! What a moody bunch of fruit and vegetables! It almost feels like they’re plotting something… in the best possible, artistic way, of course. The impasto is just calling out to me. I wonder what story the artist wanted to convey? Curator: The choice of everyday objects as a central focus challenges traditional art hierarchies. How might Hartley's personal relationship to food, or his socio-economic background, impact his decision to paint such a seemingly simple still life? Editor: Hmmm. Maybe a rebellious artist using fruit to go against the usual portrait style of powerful folks from way back then. It really asks me: is beauty just for fancy important things, or can you see it anywhere, even in an eggplant? It’s almost political in a strange way. Curator: Exactly. Hartley's position within the post-impressionist movement enabled him to experiment with form and color, departing from strict representational accuracy to express inner states. Think about his potential queer identity and how the traditionally feminine space of the still life is claimed for his own explorations of self. Editor: I’m seeing now it's like he is messing with us too. Brown fruits and veg blending on that rustic color, they seem humble and almost a bit rough… Like maybe he’s trying to find the beauty that’s hiding, asking us to look for more. Maybe there’s even an interesting mix of masculine and feminine touches, right? Curator: It really pushes us to challenge what we think is "beautiful" or worthy of artistic attention, inviting intersectional dialogue. Editor: Makes you realize even the ordinary things can have loads of emotion, mystery, and important ideas packed in, you know? I guess I might think about that next time I pass the veggie stall. Curator: It’s always interesting to reconsider objects and perspectives.