Still Life - Brass and Glass 1888

William Merritt Chase crafted this Still Life with oils on canvas, presenting a composition dominated by brass and glass objects. Here, we see a gleaming bottle, a bowl, and an assortment of vegetables arranged thoughtfully. The choice of objects carries layers of symbolic meaning. The glass bottle, with its capacity to hold and reflect, resonates with the idea of containment and inner reflection. The association between glass and the capturing of light and the human eye can be traced back to antiquity. Consider, for instance, medieval reliquaries that used rock crystal to contain the relics of saints. The vegetables, too, are not merely decorative. They symbolize nourishment and life. The arrangement itself—the careful positioning of each object—evokes a sense of order and control over the natural world. It’s a visual assertion that mirrors humanity's ongoing dialogue with its environment, a narrative that is continuously reshaped through art across millennia.