Artwork
Still Life with Ham
Still Life with Ham is an oil painting by the Realist artist Philippe Rousseau. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
About this work
Overview
It exemplifies the still life genre, showcasing Rousseau's attention to detail and texture in depicting everyday items.
This painting, Still Life with Ham, was created by the French artist Philippe Rousseau during the 1870s. Executed in oil on canvas, the work presents a carefully arranged collection of domestic objects. It exemplifies the still life genre, showcasing Rousseau's attention to detail and texture in depicting everyday items. The painting is presently held in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a substantial slice of ham, prominently displayed on a blue plate, with a carving knife resting upon it. Accompanying this central element are a bottle of wine, a glass, and various small dishes, suggesting a meal. A white tablecloth covers the surface, while a napkin and scattered papers add to the informal, lived-in quality of the scene. The background features a dark wall partially obscured by a patterned curtain.
Technique & Style
Rousseau employed oil paint to render the textures and forms of the depicted objects with realism. The artist utilized chiaroscuro, a technique involving strong contrasts between light and shadow, to create a sense of depth and volume within the arrangement. This approach highlights the freshness and sheen of the ham, drawing the viewer's eye to its details and giving the overall composition a tangible presence.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Philippe Francois Rousseau (23 February 1816, Paris – 5 December 1887, Acquigny) was a French painter known primarily for his still life paintings.
