Artwork

Still Life with a Basket of Fruit and a Bunch of Asparagus

Still Life with a Basket of Fruit and a Bunch of Asparagus, by Louise Moillon, oil, 1630
Still Life with a Basket of Fruit and a Bunch of Asparagus, by Louise Moillon, oil, 1630

Still Life with a Basket of Fruit and a Bunch of Asparagus is an oil painting by the Baroque artist Louise Moillon. It dates from 1630 and is held in the collection of the Art Institute of Chicago.

About this work

Overview

Louise Moillon's Still Life with a Basket of Fruit and a Bunch of Asparagus is an oil on panel painting created when the artist was 20 years old. It exemplifies the emerging genre of still life painting in the early 17th century.

Subject & Meaning

The painting depicts a simple arrangement of fruit and vegetables on a tabletop, showcasing Moillon's ability to render everyday subjects with elegance and naturalism.

Technique & Style

Moillon's work is characterized by its clarity and use of chiaroscuro, a technique that emphasizes contrasts between light and dark to create a sense of depth and volume.

History & Provenance

Moillon trained within a family workshop, a common practice that allowed women artists to develop their skills and gain professional experience in a period when other career paths were limited.

Artist & collection

Artist

Louise Moillon

Louise Moillon (c. 1610–1696) was a French still life painter in the Baroque era. It is recorded that she became known as one of the best still life painters of her time, as her work was purchased by King Charles I of…