Who painted "Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto]?

"Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto] was painted by French early 16th Century in 1514.

Where can I see "Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto]?

"Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto] is held by National Gallery of Art.

What movement is "Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto]?

"Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto] is associated with Renaissance.

Artwork

"Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto]

French early 16th Century , 1514

"Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot" [fol. 24 recto] is an ink drawing by the Renaissance artist French early 16th Century. It dates from 1514 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art. The drawing titled “Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot” is executed in pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper.

About this work

Overview

The drawing titled “Do Not Put Food in a Chamber Pot” is executed in pen and brown ink with watercolor on laid paper. It presents a single, unevenly proportioned figure standing atop a whale, clutching a red apple and a small pot. The figure’s blank expression, exaggerated nose and mouth, and tall hat create a whimsical, exaggerated scene.

Subject & Meaning

The composition juxtaposes a human figure with a marine creature, the whale’s open mouth and choppy water suggesting danger or chaos. The title frames the image as a cautionary joke about etiquette, with the apple placed inside the pot serving as the visual punchline that underscores the absurdity of the warning.

Technique & Style

The work combines fine pen lines with brown ink washes, while watercolor adds muted tonal variation to the background and the whale’s body. Laid paper provides a textured surface that enhances the sketchy quality of the drawing, emphasizing its informal, humorous intent rather than a polished finish.

History & Provenance

The piece is catalogued as folio 24 recto in a larger collection of drawings, and a copy is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington. Its provenance traces through the gallery’s acquisition records, though further details about its original creator or date remain undocumented.

Artist & collection

Artist

French early 16th Century

A French draftsman from the early 1500s filled sheets of laid paper with tiny, sharp-tongued instructions—ink sketches paired with warnings like “Do Not Eat Your Heart Out” or “Feed Not Things That Have Sharp Claws.”…