The Timeless Art of Chardin

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Chardin's place is unique in the history of art. Becoming famous by showing kitchen utensils was not a foregone conclusion. Under Louis XV, the court sets the tone for a luxury that is the reputation of France. The decorations are complicated, the paintings are mild, royal symbols invade everything to please the king and his court.

Chardin is decidedly the opposite. His subjects are humble. The design does not matter, because the composition and color make objects so present in his art. He was not the first to paint still lifes, of course. But his genius is to remove all the symbols in favour of a simple sentimental or sensual search. And he succeeds because he is a great artist. In the same idea, the environment disappears: the background is united, not located. Only remains the subject.

In the mid-1720s, he was not yet thirty years old. The still life is his main specialty. Later he would also make portraits. From the time of his beginnings, Christie's has found an oil on canvas, 49 x 87 cm, with objects beautifully arranged on a table: a pot, a pitcher, two small fish, a glass, two nuts and an onion. That's all. It is a masterpiece of simplicity.

This painting estimated 1.2 to 1.8 million $ will be sold in New York on January 28. This very open estimate confirms that the auction house is aware of an outstanding artwork here. The major works are priceless ...

[Pierre Tavlitzki]

Apart from his time, Chardin? Yes, perhaps a bit too! His painting was not sold.