Carl Schuch (1846 – 1903) – Still Life with Partridges and Cheese Alte und Neue Nationalgalerie (Berlin)

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around themes of sustenance and domesticity. A dark, indeterminate background establishes a somber atmosphere, allowing the objects in the foreground to emerge from the shadows. The artist has arranged several items on what appears to be a wooden surface, creating a sense of layered depth.
Dominating the left side is a tiered serving dish piled high with irregular chunks of cheese. Their pale color contrasts sharply with the surrounding darkness and draws immediate attention. The texture of the cheese seems palpable, rendered through careful application of paint that suggests both solidity and fragility.
To the right of the cheese, two partridges are suspended from what looks like a hook or nail. They hang limply, their plumage detailed enough to convey a sense of weight and realism. Their presence introduces an element of mortality and the cycle of life and death into the scene. The birds’ arrangement suggests they have been recently hunted or prepared for consumption.
Further along the surface, a cluster of garlic bulbs is grouped with a jar containing what appears to be preserved fruit – possibly berries or cherries – visible through its glass container. This grouping reinforces the theme of provisions and preservation, hinting at preparation for colder months or times of scarcity.
The artist’s use of light is particularly noteworthy. It seems to emanate from an unseen source, highlighting certain areas while leaving others in deep shadow. This selective illumination creates a dramatic effect, emphasizing the textures and forms of the objects and contributing to the overall mood of quiet contemplation. The brushwork appears loose and expressive, characteristic of late 19th-century painting techniques.
Beyond the literal depiction of food and game, the arrangement evokes notions of abundance and domesticity, but also carries a subtle undercurrent of melancholy. The stillness of the scene, combined with the presence of dead birds, suggests a moment suspended in time – a reflection on the transience of life and the importance of simple pleasures. The painting’s subdued palette and somber lighting contribute to this contemplative mood, inviting viewers to consider themes of mortality, sustenance, and the passage of time.