Still Life with Melon and Pears, Luis Eugenio Meléndez
Luis Egidio Meléndez (1716–1780) was a Spanish painter. Though he received little acclaim during his lifetime and died in poverty, Meléndez is recognized as the greatest Spanish still-life painter of the 18th century. His mastery of composition and light, and remarkable ability to convey the volume and texture of individual objects enabled him to transform the most mundane of kitchen fare into powerful images.
Meléndez frequently combined elements from other paintings to create new still lifes, a practice that allowed him to save on time and the expense of new studio props. Configurations of pears as well as particular kitchen wares, like the wine cooler, olive cask, and glazed bowl reappear throughout his body of work. The large cantaloupe that dominates the lower right of this composition was not painted from life, but probably copied from a painting currently in Valladolid (Spain) that was likely part of a commission from the Prince of Asturias (later Charles IV). By quoting a motif from a painting in the royal collection, he could entice potential collectors with the image's social cachet.
