Well the Dutch invented the microscope, she said. They were jewellers, grinders of lenses. The want it all as detailed as possible because even the tiniest things mean something. Whenever you see flies or insects in a still life- a wilted petal, a black spot on the apple- the painter is giving you a secret message. He's telling you that living things don't last- it's all temporary. Death in life. That's why they're called natures mortes. Maybe you don't see it at first with all the beauty and bloom, the little speck of rot. But if you look closer- there it is.
In "The Goldfinch," the narrator reflects on the significance of miniature details in still life paintings, emphasizing how the Dutch, renowned for lens-making, infused depth into their art. Their meticulous portrayal captures the essence of fleeting life, revealing that even small elements, like a fly or a blemished apple, carry profound meanings about mortality and the transience of existence. These elements serve as reminders that beauty inevitably diminishes over time.
The narrator suggests that the artist's inclusion of imperfections, such as decay among vibrant blooms, is intentional. It unveils the stark reality of life and death coexisting, known as "nature mortes." While the initial impression may be one of beauty, a closer examination discloses the hidden truth of impermanence, prompting viewers to reflect on the inevitability of decay amid life's splendor.
