Rich Kitchen 1580 - 1600

This print, "Rich Kitchen," of unknown date and authorship, presents a scene of unrestrained feasting. Works like this, during the 16th and 17th centuries, offered a window into social customs, and often served to reinforce or critique societal norms. Here, we see a room full of people, and animals, indulging in an abundance of food and drink. The bodies are rendered with a certain heaviness, emphasizing their physical indulgence. Through an intersectional lens, we might consider how the representation of the body here intersects with class and moral judgements. Are these figures being celebrated for their success, or are they being critiqued for their excess? The print invites us to reflect on our own relationship with excess, and the ways in which societies have historically judged different forms of consumption. "Rich Kitchen" serves as a reminder of how art can reflect, and shape societal attitudes towards abundance, and moderation.