John Peto, Help Yourself, 1881; oil on canvas, 8 1/16 x 10 1/16 in.
How better to ring in the New Year than with images of sweets, signs of delicious delight? I wish that you all can help yourself to the good things in life. Peto shows us that beauty and wonder can come in a small, ordinary, simple package.
Wayne Thiebaud, Seven Suckers, 1970; oil on canvas, 19 x 23 in.
Image courtesy NY Times.
One of the great painters of desserts brings us yummy suckers, the luscious paint as juicy as the candy.
Will Cotton, Chocolate Forest, 2001; oil on linen, 75 x100 in.
Image courtesy Will Cotton.
For my chocolate loving friends, here is a huge painting (imagine standing in front of this bigger than 6 foot high by 8 foot wide canvas!) of chocolate lawn, lake, and trees: heaven for some.
Photography Studio: Schadde Brothers, Satinettes, Filled Confections, and Ye Old Style Stick Candy, ca. 1915; gelatin silver print, 8 1/2 x 10 5/8 in.
Image courtesy Metropolitan Museum of Art.
I enjoy going to the Met's website where you can search their collections. When I put "candy" in the search bar, several photos by this studio came up. They reminded me of my childhood, when you could go into a store and buy penny candy.
Box, Britain, early 19th century; enamel on copper, 1 5/8 x 1 1/2 in.
Image courtesy of Metropolitan Museum of Art.
This charming little box held sweets. Boxes such as this were popular gifts in 18th century England. I offer you only its image as a New Year's gift.
Juan Van der Hamen, Still Life with Sweets and Pottery, 1627; oil on canvas, 32 1/4 x 48 13/16 in.
In 17th century Spain, the boxes holding sweets were of wood, and glass jars held moist confections. Like a table spread with delicious treats, may the new year bring you joy.
Altoon, thank you for these delicious images (better to look at them all than eat them all, I think), and a sweet new year to you too! If I can stay awake until midnight (hard to manage these days), I'll celebrate by banging the big frying pan with a wooden spoon. A little sound into the great darkness.
ReplyDeleteThese photos remind me of all the candy and sweets I have had lately. More than I eat all year long. I am on sugar overload. It was fun while it lasted. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, Susan and Lisa. I congratulate you in advance, Susan, if you manage to stay awake until midnight.
ReplyDeleteLisa, I'm lucky that my sweet tooth isn't as intense as it used to be, though I enjoy the occasional treat.
May 2015 be your best year so far, and the worst of all yet to come.
ReplyDeleteI second JBS's eloquence and wishes, Altoon. As always: such a creative meld, your post. The Peto was new to me and reminded me of our mutual favorite: Morandi.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much, JBS and Julie.
ReplyDelete