La versión en español está después de la versión en inglés.
I never really thought about the meaning of “still life,” as in paintings and other art, until I moved to Spain and learned the translation, “naturaleza muerta.” Seperately, “naturaleza” is “nature” and “muerta” is “dead.” I had an aha moment. Here are examples of the genre in real life. I saw the first two below on the outside counter of a café-bar. Ponderosa lemons, lemons, and oranges. An artful display.
Earlier in my walk, I once again visited the 15th-century Palacio de Viana. Given that it has 12 patios, I thought it would be part of the “patios of Christmas” displays which are free to all. The reception patio, the free part of the palace, was decorated. But it wasn’t very exciting. So, I coughed up the money to enter (it’s a private museum, no discounts) and went inside. I’m glad I did.
Many of the patios simply had the addition of poinsettias. However, the kitchen was a bit more festive than usual and a couple of spaces were fitted out with tables of abundance. Those for me were worth the price of admission. Plus, I got to visit all 12 patios again. Next time, I’m taking San Geraldo with me and we’re going to visit the palace rooms, for €1 more, as well.
Nunca pensé realmente en el significado de el ingles “still life”, como en pinturas y otras obras de arte, hasta que me mudé a España y aprendí la traducción: “naturaleza muerta”. Tuve una revelación. En inglés, las palabras tomadas por separado significan “quieto vida”. Aquí hay ejemplos de este género en la vida real. Vi los dos primeros a continuación en la barra exterior de un bar-cafetería. Limones Ponderosa, limones y naranjas. Una exhibición artística.
Al principio de mi paseo, volví a visitar el Palacio de Viana del siglo XV. Dado que tiene 12 patios, pensé que formaría parte de los “patios navideños”, que son gratuitos para todos. El patio de recepción, la parte gratuita del palacio, estaba decorado. Pero no era muy emocionante. Así que desembolsé el dinero para entrar (es un museo privado, sin descuentos) y entré. Me alegro de haberlo hecho.
Muchos de los patios simplemente tenían flores de Pascua. Sin embargo, la cocina estaba un poco más festiva de lo habitual y unos espacios estaban equipados con abundantes mesas. Para mí, esos patios valieron la pena. Además, pude volver a visitar los 12 patios. La próxima vez, me llevaré San Geraldo y visitaremos las salas del palacio, por 1 € más.
• Me pregunto si los limones ponderosa con su piel gruesa funcionarían bien como cajas de “bergamota”. (Haz clic aquí para ver el siempre inspirador blog Field and Fen y saber cómo hacerlos.)
• Deslice para ver cómo se veía en mayo y cómo se ve ahora.
Click the thumbnails to enlarge.
Haz clic en las miniaturas para ampliar.
Extremely wonderful pictures, Mitch! Thanks a lot ;-)! Jan from Perth
Jan from Perth:
I was really happy with these but then someone else did all the work.
Lovely pictures. I would love to see this, I love viewing things like this, of course the first opening picture looks like one of my dinner buffets I have! The kitchen is absolutely charming looking.
Mistress Borghese:
I thought of you when I saw these. The tables look like something I’d imagine you creating.
Nice, very nice. The theme for our November gallery show is Still Life and Real Life. I need to create a couple of pieces for that show. At the moment a I am working on another portrait.
David Godfrey:
A great title for the show. Gives artists lots of options.
Bergamot bowls were my first thought about those ponderosa lemons too! I bet they’d be fabulous!
Debra:
If I’m going to give it a try I should probably do it now when ponderosa lemons seem to be in such abundance.
An abundance of ‘life’, colour and design! Very nice! Oh for one of those tables….
Jim:
Yes! Some very talented people set those up.
Gorgeous photos; all of the detail in each one is spectacular. Like the Belén’s from the other day, you could get lost in them.
Bob:
I’m so impressed with the artistry that went into creating these displays.
Thank you for the shout out!! I was so excited to see it. Yes still is dead, as in stillborn. Still life is art about the transience of life and the inevitable decay. It’s a pretty grim outlook. But your pictures are wonderful. I’m going back to look again, thank you. Boud.
Boud:
These displays were already painterly. The photos make me smile. I’d better get started on those ponderosa lemons.
Some very lovely spreads. I like the kitchen particularly.
ellen abbott:
True artistry went into those displays.
Ooooo! I loves me a pretty palace. Great decorating tips here; I must check the post-Christmas sales for large painted pottery…
wickedhamster:
Aren’t those pots stunning? I’d love some, too.
I think these should be called Altars of Abundance. That’s what they look like to me.
Rich in design, color, and content. And yes, please. Pictures of the palace rooms.
Ms. Moon
Ms. Moon:
I agree! I’d love to participate in their creation. Can’t wait to drag SG to the palace… after the holiday crowds are gone.
Beautiful displays, and excellent photos of them!
I was completely perplexed by the term “bergamot bowl” however, as to me Bergamot is a herbaceous plant also known as “bee-balm”. Then I looked it up, and find that it’s also the common name of a kind of citrus, which I certainly never heard before… Jx
Oops! That was me, Jon.
Jx
Don’t feel bad, I just learned a few weeks ago that Bergamot is a key ingredient in Earl Grey tea! Now I’m wondering what might be in my favourite tea, Darjeeling….
Tundra Bunny:
Yes! I didn’t know about the tea either. I just looked up Darjeeling. Uncreatively, it’s made from the tea tree/tea plant.
Jon:
You signed off as Jx, so I knew.
Jon:
Earl Gray Tea! We could go to Italy to see the citrus fruit, bergamot, growing.
Lovely displays.
Kelly:
Just like something we set up at home. Right?
Eye-boggling glamour!
Kirk:
Someone is very talented!
That Victorian kitchen and work table vignette is STUNNING! And I still can’t get over the size of those Ponderosa lemons — though I’m surprised that the pith is so thick… I was expecting the actual lemon segments to be huge too. Have you tasted one, Scoot?
Tundra Bunny:
Very impressive displays. Clearly some talented working at Viana. I was also surprised by the thick skin of the ponderosa lemon. I’ve never tasted one but I plan to pick some up after the new year.
Some really beautiful compositions there!
Walt the Fourth:
I was awestruck. Odd to say but they look like paintings.
Wonderful decor and beautiful presentation.
larrymuffin:
Beautifully done.