Sprot bij kaarslicht 1803

Jean Bernard made this drawing of a sprat by candlelight in 1803, using pen and gray ink. At first glance, it's a simple still life but there's more to it than meets the eye. Consider the conditions under which Bernard was working in the Netherlands at this time. The Batavian Republic, as it was then known, was under French influence, and the art world was increasingly structured by institutions like museums and academies. Still life was considered lower in the pecking order, beneath history and portrait painting. So, in choosing this subject matter, Bernard might be seen to challenge the accepted hierarchy of artistic genres. We might also consider the kind of aesthetic experience Bernard evokes by choosing candlelight. The soft glow creates an intimate atmosphere, inviting us to contemplate the beauty of everyday objects. To fully understand the cultural significance of this image, art historians might look at cookbooks, menus, or market records to research the sprat’s cultural context. The meaning of art, after all, is always dependent on the institutions and social conditions in which it is made.