Still Life of the Earth 1978

Vela Zanetti’s painting shows us bread and a jug resting on a white cloth in a sunlit, rural landscape. Its title, ‘Still Life of the Earth’ invites us to contemplate the earth's bounty and simplicity. Zanetti was a Spanish-born artist who later became a citizen of the Dominican Republic. His artistic production was shaped by his exile from Spain after the Civil War. This context is crucial to understanding Zanetti's commitment to social justice, especially his public murals. In this still life, we see the gleaning of the fields with the jug and the bread, both items that could represent everyday life. Delving into Zanetti's biography, alongside studies of art and exile, help reveal the artist's intention of highlighting rural workers. The cultural value of the painting lies in its commentary on the plight and dignity of the common person.