Artwork

The Sense of Taste

The Sense of Taste, by Unknown, 1720
The Sense of Taste, by Unknown, 1720

The Sense of Taste is a photography by the Baroque artist Unknown. It dates from 1720 and is held in the collection of the Statens Museum for Kunst.

About this work

Overview

The Sense of Taste, created in 1720 by 30099_person, is a painting housed at the Museum of Ethnography. The work depicts a domestic scene of four individuals engaged with food and drink at a table.

Subject & Meaning

The scene focuses on the communal enjoyment of cuisine, with figures fully absorbed in the experience. A man in a white cap, smiling while holding a glass, is a central figure, accompanied by another pouring from a pitcher and a leaning child, conveying a sense of shared pleasure.

Technique & Style

The artist employs chiaroscuro, a strong contrast between light and dark, to imbue the scene with vitality. This technique makes the subjects and objects stand out against the dark-walled room, enhanced by the play of light through tall windows.

History & Provenance

Created in 1720, the painting's history prior to its current location at the Museum of Ethnography is not detailed here. Its presence in the museum suggests recognition of its cultural or artistic significance.

Context

The inclusion of a mirror and shelves in the background adds depth to the setting, though the primary context remains the intimate, everyday moment of savoring taste among the gathered individuals.

Legacy

While specific influences or impacts of 'The Sense of Taste' on subsequent art are not provided, its use of chiaroscuro reflects a broader artistic trend of the time, emphasizing dramatic lighting in domestic scenes.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known