Still Life with a Hare Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin (1699-1779)

The composition presents a suspended hare as its central subject. The animal is depicted hanging by its hind legs, secured with twine that binds its limbs and torso. Its fur exhibits a range of warm browns and greys, meticulously rendered to capture the texture and subtle variations in tone. A portion of the hare’s forelegs rests on a surface below, revealing delicate details of the paws and claws. Adjacent to the animal lies a small pile of what appear to be onions or similar root vegetables, loosely bundled together.
The background is characterized by a dark, indistinct space, painted with broad strokes that suggest depth without offering specific detail. The limited palette – primarily browns, ochres, and blacks – contributes to a somber and muted atmosphere. Light falls predominantly from the left, illuminating the hare’s form and highlighting its texture while leaving much of the background in shadow.
Beyond the straightforward depiction of a hunted animal and accompanying provisions, the painting evokes several layers of meaning. The presentation of the hare as a prepared meal suggests themes of sustenance, mortality, and the cycle of life and death. The careful rendering of the animal’s features – its fur, its paws – hints at a certain respect for the subject, even in its state of preparation. This detail complicates any straightforward interpretation of the work as merely celebratory of consumption.
The darkness enveloping the scene contributes to an overall sense of introspection. It invites contemplation on the fragility of life and the inevitability of decay. The composition’s stillness – the suspended hare, the static arrangement of vegetables – further reinforces this contemplative mood. There is a quiet dignity in the presentation, suggesting that even in death, there can be beauty and significance.