Baroque Blog

 

The painting shown below is "Fruit and Insects" by Rachel Ruysch. The work of art was produced in 1711 and is currently housed at The Uffizi Museum in Florence, Italy. This piece was crafted on wood using oil paints. 

At first glance, this work of art appears to be a produce still life. But upon closer inspection, you will notice the hidden gems that tie Ruysch's work to the expansion of science during the Baroque time period. This painting incorporates insects, lizards, and even bird nests and eggs. The artist does this seamlessly, considering I don't often picture my produce with reptiles and insects surrounding them. That statement itself, may showcase a problem with the modern world. These species are often found among gardens, farms, and areas where these types of fruits are grown. I think this painting pulls me towards a world before the influence of industrialization. It feels simple and natural. I suppose it feels more connected to the Earth, as we do see actual dirt and a moss-like layer under the produce. This, quite literally, grounds the viewer.  In addition, Ruysch's use of tenebrism starkly highlights the produce, specifically the peaches. So much so, that they almost seem to glow in a pyramidal form- a technique used quite a bit in well known works from the 16th century, such as "Madonna in the Meadow". Whereas, the insects, lizard, and nest, mostly lie on the outskirts, in or near the shadows. This gives the impression of them being overlooked, or maybe even "undiscovered', as this was a time period when science was beginning to bloom. In fact, the microscope was just being perfected near this time, as well as scientific categorization becoming increasingly popular. Rachel Ruysch also happens to be the daughter of Frederik Ruysch, a famous Dutch botanist and anatomist. Among much of her art, you will notice the inspiration she took  from her father's work. 

    I think this artwork is beautiful, the use of lighting makes the painting feel dramatic and maybe even secretive. It's like I have stumbled upon a quiet stash in the woods. I think the use of insects and the lizard make the still life feel dynamic, which I suppose is quite contradictory. The reflection and condensation on the grapes is stunning and fresh. Overall, this is a lovely painting that evokes a sense of rooted calm. However, I don't think this is a painting that I would want to own and hang in my house. It would be something I would like to see in a museum though. On that same note though, I would love to own some of her floral still life paintings, which is what she is well known for. 

Bibliography 

Dr. Saskia Beranek, "Rachel Ruysch, Fruit and Insects," in Smarthistory, September 14, 2023, accessed March 1, 2024, https://smarthistory.org/rachel-ruysch-fruit-and-insects/.