website images 003 Timothy C Tyler

The composition presents a still life arrangement centered around food items and a glass bottle. A plump fowl, seemingly plucked and partially prepared for cooking, dominates the left side of the scene. Its skin displays a mottled pattern of white and pink, with visible traces of feathers clinging to its form. The bird is positioned near an assortment of vegetables: eggplants, onions (both white and red), and a single small bulb that appears to be garlic or shallot.
The glass bottle, prominently placed in the center, commands attention through its size and reflective surface. A label affixed to it bears legible text identifying LYONS MANNUS - BRANCH OFFICE. The bottle’s transparency allows for a glimpse of its contents, which are not clearly discernible but suggest a liquid substance.
A dark background serves to isolate the objects, intensifying their colors and highlighting the play of light across their surfaces. Light sources appear to originate from the left, casting shadows that contribute to the three-dimensionality of the arrangement. The artist has rendered textures with considerable detail – the sheen of the fowl’s skin, the smooth surface of the eggplants, the layered structure of the onions, and the reflective quality of the glass bottle are all convincingly portrayed.
Beyond a straightforward depiction of foodstuffs, the painting evokes themes of domesticity and sustenance. The presence of the prepared bird suggests an imminent meal, hinting at rituals surrounding food preparation and consumption. The inclusion of the branded bottle introduces a layer of commercialism or trade, potentially referencing the availability of goods and the interconnectedness of local economies. The overall effect is one of quiet abundance, tinged with a subtle melancholy conveyed through the somber color palette and the somewhat stark presentation of the subject matter.