Spanish school; end of the XVII century.

Spanish school; late seventeenth century.
"Still life".
Oil on canvas. Relined.
Presents restorations.
Measurements: 69 x 95 cm; 90 x 114 cm (frame).
Still life starring a still life that is arranged on a table abundantly served, where a basket full of fruits, grapes, apples, peaches and nuts, a melon, a loaf of bread cut, a stuffed pastel, edible roots, sweets, a bottle of wine and a partially filled glass are arranged with care. All the elements are arranged on a wooden table partially covered by a white tablecloth, whose realistic folds show the painter's skill in the treatment of textures and light. The enveloping chiaroscuro, with strong tenebrist roots, highlights the three-dimensionality of the objects and contributes to the intimate and contemplative atmosphere of the scene.
The still life genre had a remarkable development in various European schools, such as the Flemish, Spanish, Italian and Dutch, each with particular approaches. In this case, the precision in detail, the sobriety of the background and the attention to the volume of the food refer to the Spanish still life tradition, although northern European influences can also be noticed, especially in the descriptive detail and the treatment of glass and reflections.
Within the academic and artistic context, the still life was for a long time considered a minor genre compared to historical, religious or mythological painting. However, its revaluation in the modern and contemporary sphere has highlighted its technical and conceptual complexity. In the academies of fine arts, the practice of still life has been fundamental for learning drawing, composition and the use of color, serving as a rigorous exercise for the development of the pictorial craft.