Artwork
Still Life with Game
Still Life with Game is an oil painting by the Rococo painting artist Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin. It dates from 1754 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
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- Inscribed:lower left in brown paint: chardin. / [illegible date]
About this work
History & Provenance
Prior to these transfers, the painting was owned by David David-Weill in Neuilly-sur-Seine by 1925 and was sold to Wildenstein & Co.
The painting’s early provenance is documented only from 1925, when it belonged to David David-Weill, a Parisian banker and art patron, who appears with the work in the background of Edouard Vuillard’s 1925 portrait of him and was listed in Georges Henriot’s 1926 catalogue of the David-Weill collection.
By the mid-1930s the painting was handled by Wildenstein & Co., which marketed it as part of the David-Weill collection after its dispersal; it was shown in New York in 1937. In February–March 1937 Wildenstein & Co. facilitated the sale of the David-Weill collection, and by 1946 the work had been acquired by the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, New York. It was subsequently given to the National Gallery of Art, Washington, in 1952.
Jean Siméon Chardin's Still Life with Game is held by the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., as part of the Samuel H. Kress Collection. The work entered the museum's holdings in 1952 as a gift from the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, following its acquisition by the foundation in 1946. Prior to these transfers, the painting was owned by David David-Weill in Neuilly-sur-Seine by 1925 and was sold to Wildenstein & Co. in early 1937.
During the dispersal of the David-Weill collection, the painting was exhibited at the New York branch of Wildenstein & Co. in 1937 before being shipped from Lisbon to New York.
Legacy
Painted in 1750, the work entered the collection of David David‑Weill, a prominent French banker and art patron, and was later sold to the Samuel H. Kress Foundation in 1946 before being gifted to the National Gallery of Art in 1952. Its inclusion in the Kress Collection and subsequent placement at the National Gallery of Art have contributed to a sustained reputation as a representative example of French still‑life painting. The canvas was also visible in a 1925 portrait of David‑Weill by Edouard Vuillard, underscoring its cultural visibility.
Overview
Jean Siméon Chardin's Still Life with Game, created around 1754, is an oil on canvas painting. This work exemplifies the artist's dedication to the still life genre, featuring common subjects rendered with meticulous detail. It showcases his characteristic approach to depicting everyday objects and animals, contributing to his reputation as a master of the genre during the 18th century.
Subject & Meaning
The composition centers on a dead bird with brown plumage and a rabbit, both resting on a surface. The bird's head is depicted drooping near an orange, complete with its leaves, adding a touch of natural detail. This arrangement of recently hunted animals and a piece of fruit reflects a traditional still life motif, inviting contemplation on nature, sustenance, and the transient aspects of life.
Technique & Style
Chardin employed oil paint to achieve a realistic portrayal of the textures and forms within the scene. The artist's focus on everyday elements is evident in the careful rendering of the bird's feathers and the rabbit's fur, demonstrating a commitment to verisimilitude. His signature is discreetly placed in the bottom left corner of the canvas, a common practice for artists of the period.
Context
While Chardin's artistic career largely unfolded within the Rococo period, his grounded and unidealized depictions of domestic life and still lifes often set him apart. This particular painting has been noted for its association with the Romantic movement, a later artistic current emphasizing emotion and individualism. This connection highlights how Chardin's realistic approach could resonate with subsequent artistic sensibilities.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Jean Siméon Chardin (French:; November 2, 1699 – December 6, 1779) was an 18th-century French painter.
