French school; XIX century.

French school; XIX century.
"Kitchen still life".
Oil on canvas.
Measurements: 97,5 x 71 cm.
This canvas depicts a still life of kitchen, composed of numerous elements located mostly in the foreground, with a style that is directly related to the baroque masters. The scene is open on the right side of the composition to a nocturnal landscape that brings veracity and depth to the scene. 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 but clear manner on a flat surface that runs parallel to the lower margin of the painting.
The still life occupied a prominent place in 19th century French school painting, reflecting the transition from a purely decorative approach to a deeper exploration of form, light and texture. Artists such as Gustave Courbet and Édouard Manet found in this genre a means to challenge academic conventions, experimenting with bold compositions and a loose brushstroke that evoked the materiality of everyday objects. In addition, the still life became a symbolic space, charged with reflections on the transience of life and the intrinsic beauty of the ordinary, reaffirming its relevance as an artistic and intellectual vehicle.