Anyone know what is in folded paper?

[binaryMoods]

It's a painting by Luis Melendez a 18 century Spanish artist. I'm very curious what could be in those two folded paper packs?

I don't know where else to ask, and thought this forum would have people who may know the answer.

Thanks

 

[Chief Longwind Of The North]

I will guess that they are sachets of herbs and spices, seasonings. This is based on the fact that there are garlic cloves, a duck, a frying pan, and what looks to be maybe a mortar and pestle. But its is just my best guess.

Seeeeeya; Chief Longwind of the North

 

[larry_stewart]

Just out of curiosity, does the painting have a name or title that you know of ?

 

[larry_stewart]

The Bird appears to be a partridge, I actually found a similar painting by the same artist, same kind of bird, in addition to the garlic and white packets, there are onions as well ( which are not shown in this pic)

 

[binaryMoods]

Its called - Still Life with Partridges, Cloves of Garlic and a Jar --- The other painting you're talking about is a little different Bodegón dos perdices, cebollas, ajos y vasijas-meléndez.jpg - two partrides, onions, garlic and vessels.

 

[binaryMoods]

I also think these could be herbs and stuff. But I would also think herbs would've been wrapped differently i.e. a cone shape.

 

[larry_stewart]

Yeah, I'm just trying to get out as many clues as possible, so someone who is smarter than I am could help us out a bit

 

[blissful]

National Gallery of Art | Luis Melendez: Master of the Spanish Still Life
On picture 25 out of 39, painting of Sea Bream, a folded packet also appears. In the description, it says it is spices (in the folded paper)
CLOTN is correct.
5 stars are awarded for his correct answer.

 

[larry_stewart]

Good eye bliss!
Now the question is, which spices do we think they may be given the date , location and other ingredients in the pictures?

 

[Andy M.]

More likely spices than herbs. Herbs would be fresh and therefore not wrapped up like that. Could be saffron, peppercorns, who knows.

 

[GotGarlic]

I found an article that said he was commissioned to do a series of paintings of foods that are grown in the Spanish climate. That could include saffron. I'm not sure if they grew peppercorns there, although I've seen pepper trees in parts of California where there is a similar climate.

http://arttattler.com/archiveluismelendez.html

 

[Andy M.]

I don't think peppercorn were grown in Spain back then.

 

[Bigjim68]

I don't think peppercorn were grown in Spain back then.

My guess is peppercorns. Pepper was a very rare and expensive spice and the merchant would have wrapped them carefully rather than just dump them in your hand. I'm not aware of saffron being used with wild game. Much to light a flavor.

 

[Kayelle]

It's a painting by Luis Melendez a 18 century Spanish artist. I'm very curious what could be in those two folded paper packs?

I don't know where else to ask, and thought this forum would have people who may know the answer.

Thanks

Welcome and thank you so much for asking us! What a fascinating thread it's turning into.
I love food and art, and art about food! Bravo.

 

[binaryMoods]

Thanks! I have more, I just posted lol. I'm glad there are people here interested in cooking, arts and history. I think it is fascinating to think of what they used to eat, how they used to cook.