En ananas i urtepotte og druer på et stenbord 1814 - 1837

Hermania Neergaard made this still life of a potted pineapple and grapes on a stone table, though the exact date is unknown. Painted in Denmark in the first half of the 19th century, this picture presents us with a set of interesting social questions. The humble presentation of the pineapple, a rare and imported delicacy, asks us to consider the place of global trade in Danish society. The very act of cultivating the pineapple, and then placing it on display, speaks to the values of the rising middle classes. Was this painted for the artist's own satisfaction, or was it a commission? What kind of patron would want a painting like this? To understand more, one could look at import records, auction catalogues, and even household inventories. By asking these kinds of questions, we can better understand the social forces that shaped the art of Neergaard’s time.