Mélanie de Comoléra (French, 1789-1854)
Still Life with Grapes and Flowers
INV-2652
Mélanie de Comoléra (French, 1789-1854)c. 1827
Still Life with Grapes and Flowers
Mélanie de Comoléra (French, 1789-1854) →19th centurypaintingoil
Date
c. 1827
Medium
Oil on canvas
Dimensions
40.7 × 32.7 cm (16 1/16 × 12 7/8 in.); Framed: 52.4 × 45.1 × 8.3 cm (20 5/8 × 17 3/4 × 3 1/4 in.)
Museum
Art Institute of Chicago
Location
Chicago, IL
Credit
Through prior purchase with funds provided by Eugene and Helen Huang in memory of Ada and Wilfred Polkinghorne, Justin K. Thannhauser, A. A. Munger Collection, bequest of Celia Schmidt Estate
In this exquisite still life, Mélanie de Comoléra skillfully depicted a variety of flowers, fruits, and other luxury objects. On a marble ledge sits a wide bowl, overflowing with grapes and plums. Behind it, a glass pitcher holds a mix of colorful flowers. In the foreground, key limes and jalapeño peppers, botanical species that are not indigenous to Europe, evoke themes of colonialism and global trade.
Mélanie de Comoléra studied and worked in France before moving to London, where she made this painting. The artist established a successful career there and became the official painter to the Duchess of Clarence (later Queen Adelaide) and Queen Victoria.
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