Jean-Baptiste-Simeon Chardin Paintings

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin was a renowned French painter considered a master of still life and domestic scenes. Born on November 2, 1699, in Paris, Chardin was the son of a cabinetmaker which perhaps influenced his attention to detail and the texture of objects depicted in his paintings. He was largely self-taught, though he received some training from the history painter Pierre-Jacques Cazes and the still life painter Noël-Nicolas Coypel.

Chardin's work is characterized by its quiet and meditative quality, and he was admired for his ability to infuse life into the simple objects of everyday life. His mastery in rendering textures and volumes, and the subtle interplay of light and shadow in his work, have been praised by art critics and viewers alike.

He was admitted to the Royal Academy of Painting and Sculpture in 1728, after presenting 'The Ray' (La Raie) and 'The Buffet' (Le Buffet) as his reception pieces. These paintings reflected his focus on still life subjects, which were considered lower in the academic hierarchy of genres, yet he elevated them through his skill and the dignity he conferred upon them.

Throughout his career, Chardin painted domestic scenes imbued with a sense of tranquility and timelessness. He rarely painted large-scale historical or mythological paintings which were popular at the time. Instead, he excelled in scenes of humble domesticity, portraying the simple activities of daily life with a sense of poetry and depth.

Later in his career, Chardin's eyesight began to deteriorate, and he started to work with pastels, which allowed him to continue creating art despite his failing vision. His pastel portraits are highly regarded, showcasing a different aspect of his talent.

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin passed away on December 6, 1779, in Paris. His work has continued to be celebrated for its beauty, craftsmanship, and its profound influence on subsequent artists, including the Impressionists and various modernist movements. Chardin's legacy is that of an artist who celebrated the mundane and found beauty and significance in the ordinary details of life.