Who painted Still Life?

Still Life was painted by Bartolomé Montalvo in 1750.

Where can I see Still Life?

Still Life is held by Museo del Prado.

What movement is Still Life?

Still Life is associated with Rococo painting.

Artwork

Still Life

Bartolomé Montalvo , 1750

Still Life is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Bartolomé Montalvo. It dates from 1750 and is held in the collection of the Museo del Prado.

About this work

Overview

Created circa 1750, this oil painting presents a quiet domestic tableau centered on a lifelike duck reclined beside a basket brimming with small fish. Accompanied by modest objects—a knife and a sheet of paper—the composition balances the animal subjects with everyday kitchenware, offering a restrained yet detailed glimpse into 18th‑century Spanish genre painting.

Subject & Meaning

The work juxtaposes a fallen duck, its head raised and beak open, with a basket of freshly caught fish, suggesting a moment of preparation or consumption. The inclusion of utilitarian items such as a knife and paper underscores the practical, everyday nature of the scene, inviting viewers to consider the relationship between food, labor, and domestic routine.

Technique & Style

Executed in a realistic manner, the artist employs meticulous brushwork to render texture—feathers, scales, and the gleam of metal. A muted palette of browns and grays unifies the composition, while careful modeling of light creates subtle volume, reflecting the Rococo tendency toward decorative elegance without excessive ornamentation.

History & Provenance

The painting belongs to the oeuvre of Bartolomé Montalvo, a Spanish painter born near Segovia in 1769 who later served as court painter to King Fernando VII. Though primarily known for landscapes and hunting scenes, Montalvo also produced still lifes. The canvas is presently held in the collection of the Museo del Prado in Madrid.

Context

Emerging during the Rococo period, the piece illustrates the movement’s shift toward decorative yet intimate genre scenes, moving away from grand historical narratives. Montalvo’s training under Zacarías Velázquez and his long tenure at the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando informed his balanced approach to composition and detail, aligning with contemporary tastes for refined domestic imagery.