kagablog

The paintings represented in this cartoon include Rembrandt van Rijn’s “Slaughtered Ox,” Pablo Picasso’s “Study of Lamb,” Chaim Soutine’s “Side of Beef,” and Francis Bacon’s “Head Surrounded by Side of Beef.”

November is Slaughtered Oxen Month. At least it was during late medieval times when it was considered one of the “Labors of the Month.” In the 16th and 17th centuries we see numerous Northern European artists (including Bruegal, van Heemskerk, and Teniers the Younger) depicting scenes with carcasses of ox suspended from ceiling beams. (Check out Teniers’s 1642 “Butcher Shop” on display at the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.)

In 1655, Rembrandt van Rijn painted “Slaughtered Ox.” This painting was different from previous representations of beef. Here the carcass was treated not as a prop, but rather as the focus of the composition. Not only that, but Rembrandt painted the subject with a dramatic vigor not seen before in meat paintings. Additionally, there have been analyses of this painting which make reference to the Crucifixion of Christ.

Financially, the mid 1650s was a very bad year for Rembrandt. He pretty much had to sell everything he owned - including his paintings - to pay off his debts. Many years later, the Louvre Museum in Paris acquired “Slaughtered Ox” at a bargain basement price.

During the 20th century, when modern artists were hanging around in Paris, a number of painters were inspired by Rembrandt’s piece and rendered (so to speak) their own versions. Some of these artists included Picasso, Delacroix, George Segal (not to be confused with the banjo-playing actor), Francis Bacon (not to be confused with the 17th century philosopher, prototypical scientist, man of letters and lord chancellor of England), and Chaim Soutine (not to be confused with the Nabisco cracker).

Art history books love to recall the story of Soutine painting a rotting side of beef in his apartment. Purportedly he paid a young girl to bring him blood from the butcher shop, so that he could freshen up the carcass. His neighbors were constantly calling the police because of the unbearable stench.

The only other job that I can imagine smellier than this, would be that of a sewer worker. The most famous one I can think of is Ed Norton (not to be confused with Edward Norton the young movie star). The sewer working Norton was Ralph Kramden’s neighbor and buddy on the 1950s TV show “The Honeymooners.” He was played by Art Carney (not to be confused with Rembrandt’s “Slaughtered Ox”).

- November 2001