Artwork
Still Life with a Ham
Still Life with a Ham is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Anne Vallayer-Coster. It dates from 1767 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.
About this work
Overview
Created in 1767, *Still Life with a Ham* is an oil painting by French artist Anne Vallayer‑Coster. The work presents a sliced ham on a plate, surrounded by a knife, a sprig of leaves, radishes, and two bottles set against a muted backdrop. The composition is held within a white‑draped tabletop, emphasizing the ham as the focal point.
Subject & Meaning
The central ham, its pink interior exposed, draws the viewer’s attention through careful placement of surrounding objects—a knife, leafy garnish, radishes, and bottles. The arrangement suggests a quiet domestic scene, highlighting the material richness of food and the tactile qualities of flesh, metal, and vegetable, inviting contemplation of abundance and the fleeting nature of a prepared meal.
Technique & Style
Vallayer‑Coster employs a refined Rococo sensibility, balancing ornate detail with a restrained palette. Precise brushwork renders the ham’s texture and the glint of metal, while subtle chiaroscuro creates depth. The delicate handling of light on the cloth and the transparent bottle surfaces exemplifies her skill in portraying varied surfaces within a unified composition.
History & Provenance
The painting entered the collection of the Gemäldegalerie in Berlin, where it remains on display. Vallayer‑Coster’s reputation for meticulous still‑life work earned her admission to the Académie Royale de Peinture et de Sculpture in 1770, shortly after this piece was completed, marking a significant milestone in her career.
Context
Executed during the late Rococo period, the work reflects contemporary tastes for elegant domestic subjects and the growing appreciation of still‑life as a genre. Vallayer‑Coster’s focus on everyday objects aligns with the Enlightenment’s interest in observation and classification, while her polished execution underscores the era’s fascination with luxury and refinement.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Anne Vallayer-Coster (21 December 1744 – 28 February 1818) was a French painter best known for still lifes.
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