Spanish school; 17th century.

Spanish school; XVII century.
"Still life of meat".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Repainting and restorations.
Preserves period frame.
Measurements: 62 x 83 cm; 78,5 x 98 cm (frame).
In this canvas the author offers us a still life of meat rooted in the baroque tradition of the genre, as much for its composition as for the chromatic and luminous treatment, the care of the qualities and the impastoed brushstroke. As was the case with many of the Baroque masters, especially the Dutch, here we see the elements that make up the still life arranged in a disorganized, although clear, on a flat surface that runs parallel to the lower margin of the painting. In addition, following this same tradition, the still life is placed in the foreground, on a neutral and dark background that delimits the space, focusing our gaze on what the painter considers most important.
The still life in Spain was one of the most characteristic genres and, due to its special peculiarities, it is clearly different from this same theme in workshops in the rest of Europe. The term appeared already at the end of the 16th century, and stands out in this school for its austerity, in clear contrast with the Flemish sumptuousness, although with a series of influences from the latter and the Italian school. Sánchez Cotán's works were so successful that his style had numerous followers (Juan de Espinosa, Antonio Ponce, Juan van der Hamen y León, etc.). In this context, the Sevillian school contributed its own particularities, thanks, above all, to Velázquez and Zurbarán. Highly appreciated within the antiquarian market, as well as among collectors and art historians, the Spanish Baroque still life school enjoyed a spectacular development, leaving behind the splendors of the 16th century and progressing within a fully Baroque and clearly identifiable style. In Spain the development of the genre was clearly marked by the Italian influence, specifically by the contribution of the Neapolitan school, in fact in this particular piece we can appreciate a great influence of the painting of the master Mariano Nani. Currently this school is considered one of the most prominent within the still life, due to its long historical tradition.