An Apple, caville rouge, and other Fruits 1791

Jens Juel created this still life of fruit in oil paint sometime in the late 1700s. Still life painting may seem a world apart from the issues of labor and class, but in fact, it depended on a complex system of production. Pigments derived from all over the world, painstakingly ground and mixed by skilled apothecaries. The artist would have built up the composition with thin layers of paint, carefully building up the illusion of three dimensions and convincing textures. Note how the light gently caresses the skin of the fruit, contrasting with the rougher texture of the leaves. While Juel himself was a celebrated artist, this painting reminds us that even the most refined works are born from the skilled labor of many. From the farmers who cultivated the fruit to the artisans who prepared the materials, this painting is a testament to the interconnectedness of art and everyday life, challenging traditional distinctions between fine art and craft.