Francisco de Zurbarán, Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose, 1633Spanish, 1598-1664 On view at the Norton Simon Museum Although painted with meticulous naturalism, there is something unique and mysterious about this group of common place objects silhouetted against the darkness by a brilliant almost unearthly light, the motif seems suspended before us like objects of meditation with Zen-like clarity. Zurbarán is best known for his numerous paintings of saints in which he portrayed their devotions, visions and ecstasies. This painting is his only signed and dated still life. Its underlying and symbolic theme may be an homage to the Virgin. The citrons are a paschal fruit and, with the orange blossoms, suggest chastity. Love and purity are symbolized in the rose and water-filled cup. An air of gravity and spiritual austerity proceeds from the strict horizontal rhythm and the limitation of detail. Indeed, the objects appear to have a mystical allusion, just like the votive offerings on an altar. Sharon The Art History Blog sources: The Norton Simon Museum Thank you, arthistoryblog.

Francisco de Zurbarán, Still Life with Lemons, Oranges and a Rose, 1633
Spanish, 1598-1664
On view at the Norton Simon Museum

Although painted with meticulous naturalism, there is something unique and mysterious about this group of common place objects silhouetted against the darkness by a brilliant almost unearthly light, the motif seems suspended before us like objects of meditation with Zen-like clarity.

Zurbarán is best known for his numerous paintings of saints in which he portrayed their devotions, visions and ecstasies. This painting is his only signed and dated still life. Its underlying and symbolic theme may be an homage to the Virgin. The citrons are a paschal fruit and, with the orange blossoms, suggest chastity. Love and purity are symbolized in the rose and water-filled cup. An air of gravity and spiritual austerity proceeds from the strict horizontal rhythm and the limitation of detail. Indeed, the objects appear to have a mystical allusion, just like the votive offerings on an altar.

Sharon
The Art History Blog
sources: The Norton Simon Museum

Thank you, arthistoryblog.

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    crashinglybeautiful:
  8. joycesu reblogged this from crashinglybeautiful and added:
    This painting was on my Sonatina book I grew up with. I stared at it everyday :]
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    Francisco de Zurbarán,...Thank you, arthistoryblog.
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