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Poor Artist's Cupboard by King, Charles Bird

King, Charles Bird · c. 1815

Painted around 1815, Charles Bird King's "Poor Artist's Cupboard" offers an intimate glimpse into the daily life and struggles of an artist in the early 19th century. This oil on wood still life is a masterclass in detail and a deviation from King's well-known portraits of Native American leaders.

Look closely at the collection of objects on display: an open book titled 'Advantages of Poverty,' a simple loaf of bread, and a glass of water. These everyday items speak volumes about the artist's circumstances, hinting at a life of intellectual pursuit amidst financial hardship.

The most striking detail, however, is a sheriff's sale notice tucked among the papers. This small but significant inclusion reveals the economic realities faced by many artists of the period, adding a poignant layer to the painting's narrative.

What other stories do you think these objects tell about the artist's life?

Details

He owned a book on the 'Lives of Painters.'
He owned a book on the 'Lives of Painters.'
X-rays found another face under this one.
X-rays found another face under this one.
But look closely, there is also a sheriff's sale notice.
But look closely, there is also a sheriff's sale notice.
An exotic object, suggesting travel, collection, or a fascination with the natural world, contrasting with the mundane items.
An exotic object, suggesting travel, collection, or a fascination with the natural world, contrasting with the mundane items.
Transcript

This cupboard, painted around 1815, holds an artist's world. He owned a book on the 'Lives of Painters.' And this one, 'Choice Gentleman,' suggests his reading tastes. X-rays found another face under this one. But look closely, there is also a sheriff's sale notice. It suggests the financial struggles of a working artist.