Pigs Knuckles on a Pewter Plate with Oysters and Wine Glasses on a Draped Table oil on panel 11 x 14 inches (28 x 36.8 cm.)
The unusual mixture of expensive and modest elements in the same still life derives from a Netherlandish tradition that began in the early 1600’s. Stemming from the parable of Lazarus and the rich man (Luke 16:19-21), contemporary moralists advocated a temperate lifestyle as opposed to one spent pursuing worldly riches.
From a raised vantage point on a slightly tipped tabletop the viewer is presented with crystal wine glasses, oysters, a worn pewter plate with pigs knuckles stripped of all meat on a rough hewn table draped with a plain cloth. Contrasting textures and shapes are defined by the clash of light and shadow within the panel. The restriction of the palette to brown, white, grey and silver serves to unify the composition while reflecting the sobriety of its message. [1]
Crystal wine glasses were expensive as was the wine they held. Oysters, also a luxury, were eaten in large numbers, especially in port towns such as Antwerp. All levels of society enjoyed pork, yet with the stripping of all the meat from the bones the potential meal is meager, only the marrow left to consume. [2]
The confrontation of temperance versus opulence has been clearly defined by a strategic use of elemental objects. The combination of wine and oysters would have been viewed as emblematic of gluttony and lust. Plain food and common objects were seen as the path to redemption. [3]
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[1] Ibid., p. 25.
[2] Donna R. Barnes, “Jan Davidsz. De Heem”, Matters of Taste, op. cit., p. 76.
[3] Rose, op. cit., p. 18.
DALE CHIHULY (American, b. 1941) Red Blanket Cylinder (2000) Glass, 8” x 7” x 7” Gift of the Chihuly Studio
FERMIN GUTIERREZ Horas Misticas/Mystical Hours (2006) Oil on canvas, 55 ¼ x 63” Gift of the artist and Adair Margo Gallery
LYDIA BODNAR-BALAHUTRAK Veronica’s Child Resins, charcoal, embroidery/canvas/wood frame, 22 ½ x 22 ½” Gift of the artist and Adair Margo Gallery
Bestiario & Nahuales 2 – Artists *Artistas portfolio of 20 prints by Arceo Press, Chicago, IL, edition 50 Gift of Ouida Touchon
VLADAMIR ALVARADO (Mexican, b. 1938) La Morena (1998) Bronze, edition 2/6, 29 x 21 x 22” Members’ Choice Purchase
SANDRIA HU (American, b. 1946) Clay and Ash #31 (2006) Oil mixed media, 32 x 34 x ¾” panel, Purchase with funds provided by the Robert U. and Mabel O. Lipscomb Foundation Endowment Fund
ADOLF ARTHUR DEHN (American, 1895-1968) Texas Road out of El Paso (c. 1940) pencil on paper, 17 ¾ x 23 ¾” sheet Purchase with funds provided by El Paso Museum of Art docents and the Robert U. and Mabel O. Lipscomb Foundation Endowment Fund
HAL MARCUS (American, born 1951) Four Seasons of El Paso – Spring (1995) acrylic on canvas, 55 x 36” Gift of Richard and Virginia Harshman
HAL MARCUS (American, born 1951) Four Seasons of El Paso – Summer (1995) acrylic on canvas, 55 x 36” Gift of Richard and Virginia Harshman
HAL MARCUS (American, born 1951) Four Seasons of El Paso – Fall (1995) acrylic on canvas, 55 x 36” Gift of Richard and Virginia Harshman
HAL MARCUS (American, born 1951) Four Seasons of El Paso – Winter (1995) acrylic on canvas, 55 x 36” Gift of Richard and Virginia Harshman
WANDA HERMAN de TURCZYNOWICZ (Polish, 1908-c. 2001) Self-Portrait (1960) Gwatercolor, 19 ¾ x 14 ¾” sheet, 26 1/8 x 24 ¼” framed Gift of Hal Marcus
CECILIA BRIONES (Mexican, born 1975) Untitled (2005) Oil and acrylic on wood door, 81 x 37” framed Gift of the artist
CARLOS GOMEZ (American, born 19) The Two Sides (1994) Oil on canvas, 48 ¼ x 96 ¼” canvas, 49 ¾ x 97 ¾ x 1 ½” framed Gift of the artist
FRANCINE TINT (American, born 1943) Little Willie Leaps (2002) Acrylic on canvas, 45 x 87” Gift of Bonnie Kamen Janiss and Barry Janiss
ANONYMOUS (Mexico, 19th Century) Untitled Ex-Voto (mid - late 19th C) Oil on tin, 16 3/8 x 11”, 25 ¾ x 20 ½ x 1 ¾” framed Gift of Sydney Collier and Anne Adams
ANONYMOUS (Mexico, 19th Century) Untitled Retablo (19th C) Oil on metal, tin, 25 ¾ x 33”, 31 ½ x 38 ½” framed Gift of Sydney Collier and Anne Adams
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