Jan Steen symbolism
George H. Vriese
During my visit to the Jan Steen exhibition in the Rijksmuseum in
Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I noticed an object of symbolism that
Jan Steen used frequently in his paintings.
The object in question is a partly peeled lemon with the peel
lying rolled up next to the lemon or hanging down from the table
the lemon is lying on.
What does this mean in 17th century art? What is it referring to?
Please e-mail me any answers and/or suggestions where to look for
answers on the Internet/Usenet.
Thanks.
Froilan Vispo
I don't think there is a symbolic meaning unique to Jan Steen alone for
the lemon, unpeeled/partly peeled etc. There may be in general 16-17th
c. Netherlandish iconography, but of this I am unaware.
Still lives of foods unconsumed or only partially so, usually
accompanied by somewhat extravagant objects such as flowers,
goblets,silverware etc., functioned during this time and place as
reminders of how quickly lives could be taken away so one should concern
themselves too much with material wealth etc. but more so with one's
salvation.
Any general art history text on Netherlandish art of this time should
give you more info on the above.
Froilan
vis...@epo.gov.on.ca
Froilan Vispo
Froilan Vispo wrote:
> Still lives of foods unconsumed or only partially so, usually
> accompanied by somewhat extravagant objects such as flowers,
> goblets,silverware etc., functioned during this time and place as
> reminders of how quickly lives could be taken away so one should concern
> themselves too much with material wealth etc. but more so with one's
> salvation.
>
This tradition of symbolic still-lives is often referred to as vanitas.
Froilan
vis...@epo.gov.on.ca
Froilan Vispo
Mdeli
"George H. Vriese" wrote:
>During my visit to the Jan Steen exhibition in the Rijksmuseum in
>Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I noticed an object of symbolism that
>Jan Steen used frequently in his paintings.
>The object in question is a partly peeled lemon with the peel
>lying rolled up next to the lemon or hanging down from the table
>the lemon is lying on.
>What does this mean in 17th century art? What is it referring to?
The Dutch late 17th century was a time of intellectual
and scientific exuberance. Amsterdam was for a time the
worlds wealthiest city abd paintings were avidly
collected.
The content of most painting of this period contained
images of wealth and prosperity. Fresh citrus fruit was
then a rare imported luxury. An orange or lemon was
indicative of wealth and well-being. However, in some
still life painting food represented fleeting life.
These painting often contained a skull and other
objects suggesting the passing of time.
You will see citrus in 17th century portraits,
paintings of interiors and still-life. Each painter
rendered the gemlike interior of citrus fruits with its
textured chromatic rind in his in his own unique
technique.
Painting preserved the rare beautiful image of citrus
for all to see in gray Holland at that time.
MD
Neal Weiss
> "George H. Vriese" wrote:
>
> >During my visit to the Jan Steen exhibition in the Rijksmuseum in
> >Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I noticed an object of symbolism that
> >Jan Steen used frequently in his paintings.
> >The object in question is a partly peeled lemon with the peel
> >lying rolled up next to the lemon or hanging down from the table
> >the lemon is lying on.
> >What does this mean in 17th century art? What is it referring to?
>
> The Dutch late 17th century was a time of intellectual
> and scientific exuberance.
That is to say Artspeak and Bullshitism
Amsterdam was for a time the
> worlds wealthiest city abd paintings were avidly
> collected.
Blinded mislead Academy fueled by Bullshitism,Artspeak, and blind money, power.
> The content of most painting of this period contained
> images of wealth and prosperity. Fresh citrus fruit was
> then a rare imported luxury. An orange or lemon was
> indicative of wealth and well-being. However, in some
> still life painting food represented fleeting life.
> These painting often contained a skull and other
> objects suggesting the passing of time.
Artspeak and Bullshitism. Paintings too weak to stand on skill need to
resort to Artspeak and Bullshitism for 'viewing'. hows how unskilled the
paitings of Jan Steen are and were if they cannot be understood without
Aretspeak. No skill, no art.
> You will see citrus in 17th century portraits,
> paintings of interiors and still-life. Each painter
> rendered the gemlike interior of citrus fruits with its
> textured chromatic rind in his in his own unique
> technique.
'School of Pre-Rotted Rind' is what this Bullshitism and Artspeak movement
is known as.
Artspeaker,
-N
-----------------------------------------
Neal Weiss
Founder: L' Ecole De Fromage.
Originator of a Greater Shoe of Mud.
Finder of the Country Blue Squeak-Out.
Neal Weiss
I am finally getting it! I have learned a new 'skill'. A new artistic and
critical language! 'Artspeak and Bullshitism'! Bring on the paintings,
lets critique!
jkea...@aol.com
In article <nweiss-0201...@nweiss.tiac.net>, nwe...@tiac.com
(Neal Weiss) writes:
>In article <5afb3p$5...@news.interlog.com>, hu...@interlog.com (Mdeli)
wrote:
>
>> "George H. Vriese" wrote:
>>
>> >During my visit to the Jan Steen exhibition in the Rijksmuseum in
>> >Amsterdam, The Netherlands, I noticed an object of symbolism that
>> >Jan Steen used frequently in his paintings.
>> >The object in question is a partly peeled lemon with the peel
>> >lying rolled up next to the lemon or hanging down from the table
>> >the lemon is lying on.
>> >What does this mean in 17th century art? What is it referring to?
>>
>> The Dutch late 17th century was a time of intellectual
>> and scientific exuberance.
>
>That is to say Artspeak and Bullshitism
>
>
Give it a rest. Mani's reply was the most carefully considered and
informative of the lot.
JK