Sunday, November 20, 2022

More art work that makes me think of Thanksgiving!

"The Cook" (La cuisinière), Félix Vallotton, 1892. Do cast-iron stoves make you think of Thanksgiving?

“Assorted Food on a Stove," Claes Oldenburg

Claes Oldenburg with his non-edible sculpture, 1962.

“Dinner for Threshers,” Grant Wood

Detail of a farmhouse kitchen from  “Dinner for Threshers.” 1934.


Paul Cézanne, "The Kitchen Table." Fall fruits make me think of the fall holiday.

“Bottles and Glasses” (Bouteilles et verres), Pablo Picasso, 1912.
We usually drink wine with our turkey dinner. Picasso offered a new look for bottles!

Carl Larsson, “Christmas Dinner.” 1904.  
OK, it’s very like a Thanksgiving buffet for a big family! I love the silver drinking cups.

These artists didn’t have Thanksgiving in mind, but when I think about food and drink, and about families and friends gathering to share a meal at beautifully set tables,  or when I think about cooking old favorites in old-time kitchens, I think of images like these. Collectively, I think we Americans share an idealized impression of Thanksgiving with a set menu and a group of close friends and family enjoying the food. And I think many people continue to strive to create such an ideal for their group. 

A few years ago, the wonderful blogger Jama, of Jama’s Alphabet Soup, shared a children’s book about the holiday. She featured this particularly idealized image of a long-ago Thanksgiving dinner. (Jill McElmurry, Sharing the Bread: An Old-Fashioned Thanksgiving Story, by Pat Zietlow Miller, 2015)



22 comments:

My name is Erika. said...

These are fantastic takes on the upcoming holiday Mae. Hugs-Erika

Elza Reads said...

Hi Mae!

I like the last one and the Cezanne one the most!

Lovely idea to share all these artworks.

Have a wonderful week ahead!

Trin Carl said...

i love these artworks. I had a hard time scrolling down on your blog today. I'm not sure if this is a glitch. I love different art and if I'm upset about something, I find a quick page through davientart.com helps me a lot. @theglobaldig.blogspot.com

eileeninmd said...

Wonderful artwork. I am not sure if I could cook on one of those old stoves.
The Bottles and glasses is cool and the last two images are beautiful.
Take care, enjoy your day and have a happy new week!

Tandy | Lavender and Lime (http://tandysinclair.com) said...

Such an interesting collection you have put together here.

Sherry's Pickings said...

oh what wonderful artworks! I love that top one and the Dinner for threshers. Both different but really interesting.

Iris Flavia said...

Enjoy the holiday! Sad we don´t have it...

David M. Gascoigne, said...

A wonderful selection of art, Mae. Today we had lunch with dear friends, and while Thanksgiving here has already happened, and neither of us celebrates the holiday in any major fashion, it was great to know that we have such good friends. Now there's a reason for thanksgiving.

My name is Erika. said...

And happy T day too Mae.

Kate Yetter said...

Beautiful works of art! My favorite part of Thanksgiving is the gathering of loved ones.
Happy Thanksgiving and Tea Day,
Kate

Sharon Madson said...

Love all the artwork you showed, especially the one with the teapot. Happy T Day!

Valerie-Jael said...

I loved the photos. Back in those times people worked much harder for their daily food and probably appreciated it much more than many people do today. Happy Thanksgiving to you and yours, thankfulness is so important!

Lisca said...

What a lovely post! I love seeing all the artwork. Love the Vallotton, (I wish I had a range cooker like that. Some people still have them but they are very expensive). Also love the Thresher's Dinner. Interesting how the stove is that much lower in that painting.
There is always a cat where there is food. I also see one near the Christmas dinner. Lovely picture. Yes, the silver cups are typical. My dad's cup went down to me and then to my son, who's name is also engraved on it and I hope he has the name of our grandson engraved on it too. That would make four generations. I'm trying to figure out what the servant girl is holding.... Grandchildren serving grandad his dinner. Very idyllic, as you say.
And the last one from the children's book is also typical. Although I must say, we still hold hands when we give thanks. If we have guests (believers or not) they join hands too, and nobody minds.
Happy T-Day,
Hugs,
Lisca

DVArtist said...

Mae, these are wonderful art pieces. I love the stove sculpture. Have a great day today.

Let's Art Journal said...

Fabulous 😊. Happy T Day! Hugs Jo x

Divers and Sundry said...

These images do bring the big Thanksgiving meal to mind :) Ours is no longer big, but is filled with thankfulness. Happy T Tuesday

jinxxxygirl said...

Enjoyed all the photos of artwork Mae! Thank you very much! Brings back much nostalgia.. Happy T day! Hugs! deb

Carola Bartz said...

You showed some beautiful artwork here, Mae, and you're right, that most of them might not have Thanksgiving in mind. Gathering with friends and/or family and share some good food is always nice and doesn't necessarily need a special holiday for that - actually, it's quite if you need a holiday for that. I used to love Thanksgiving when I came to the US, but the creeping of Black Friday and early shopping into Thanksgiving several years ago took away the last non-commercial holiday. Maybe it will be different this year?

Carola Bartz said...

I forgot to mention that I hope you will have a lovely Thanksgiving.

Bleubeard and Elizabeth said...

My sincere apology for taking so long to visit. I finally realized I HAD to drag myself out of bed and see what you had offered for T this week. I'm definitely not a very good host, but I want you to know I greatly appreciate your visit and for linking this week.

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. No pressures, no gift giving, just good food, good friendships, and good memories. Thanks for sharing these beauties with us. I love the Grant Wood Threshers. I bought a Picasso postcard like the bottles you shared. Happy T Day and Happy Thanksgiving.

pearshapedcrafting said...

Sorry to be so late. After food shopping yesterday I only had time to write my post before going for meal and to see The Lion King at the theatre with my youngest son.
I love the Carl Larsson Christmas Dinner. Enjoy Thanksgiving. Belated Happy T Day, Chrisx

Empire of the Cat said...

Still looking after sick kitties, so I'm very late to the party. I like the last one it reminds me of a cross stitch patter. Blogger is still being a pain. Happy T Day! Elle/EOTC xx