Früchtestillleben mit Papagei 1824

Ferdinand Georg Waldmüller painted this still life of fruit and a parrot with oil on canvas in Austria in the first half of the 19th century. The lush display of fruit and the presence of an exotic bird speak to the rising wealth of the middle class in the Austrian Empire at this time, and their desire to emulate the lifestyle of the aristocracy. Still life as a genre had long been associated with wealth and luxury, but in the 19th century it became increasingly popular among the bourgeoisie. The presence of a parrot here is particularly interesting. As a non-native species, it would have been a rare and expensive pet, kept as a curio and a status symbol. The bird’s passive stare, and the lack of context, leaves it open to speculation and social commentary. By studying trade routes, import records, and even popular literature of the time, the historian can begin to unpack the complex social and economic meanings embedded in this seemingly simple image.