Clara Peeters – Still Life with Cheeses, Artichoke, and Cherries Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA)

The composition presents a meticulously arranged assortment of foodstuffs displayed on a large, oval silver platter. The dark background serves to accentuate the objects textures and colors, creating a sense of depth and highlighting their materiality.
A tiered arrangement dominates the scene. At the apex sits a portion of cheese, molded into an elaborate shape and presented upon a blue-and-white patterned plate. Beneath this, several blocks of cheese are stacked, varying in color from creamy white to a darker, almost brown hue, suggesting different aging processes or varieties. A substantial artichoke, its leaves partially peeled back to reveal the tender heart, is positioned near the cheeses, adding an element of organic complexity and visual interest.
Lower down on the platter, a cluster of bright red cherries provides a vibrant contrast against the more muted tones of the cheese and artichoke. A knife rests diagonally across the lower portion of the platter, its polished surface reflecting the light and contributing to the overall sense of opulence. Scattered near the knife are fragments of what appear to be dried leaves or petals, adding a subtle note of decay and transience.
The artist’s attention to detail is remarkable; each object is rendered with painstaking accuracy, capturing the nuances of its surface – the soft crumbliness of the cheese, the rough texture of the artichokes scales, the glossy sheen of the cherries. The light source appears to originate from the upper left, casting subtle shadows that further define the forms and enhance their three-dimensionality.
Beyond a simple depiction of food, this arrangement suggests themes of abundance, domesticity, and perhaps even the fleeting nature of pleasure. The careful selection and presentation of these items imply a certain level of wealth and refinement. The inclusion of elements like the knife and scattered leaves introduces an undercurrent of mortality – a reminder that even the most desirable things are subject to decay and loss. The overall effect is one of quiet contemplation, inviting the viewer to appreciate the beauty and significance of everyday objects.