Friday, December 18, 2009

What is the symbol of a peeled lemon with the skin hanging down, used in oil paintings, still life's?

Does anyone know what the meaning of a peeled lemon was when it was used in oil paintings? Basically, what is the symbol?What is the symbol of a peeled lemon with the skin hanging down, used in oil paintings, still life's?
Hi,





This is a fascinating subject.


Keep in mind that different societies use symbolic objects in different ways. And one must always be cautious not to be too categorical when attributing ';meanings';. Everything depends on the whole of the composition, on the provenance of the painting, on who commissioned it and on why.


Peeled lemons were quite popular in paintings done in the XVIth century in the Netherlands. If this is the case of the work you are considering this link might help:





http://www.louvre.fr/llv/oeuvres/detail_鈥?/a>





It reads a peeled lemon as a possible symbol of the passage of time.





Prior to that lemons and oranges were used mainly as status symbols, as they were extremely expensive fruits to have in Central and Northern countries.What is the symbol of a peeled lemon with the skin hanging down, used in oil paintings, still life's?
Interesting question! I've googled 'symbolism in medieval art' and found that the lemon (or lemon tree) is a symbol of fidelity in love, but I couldn't find out anything about a peeled one. I have a horrible feeling it may mean the opposite! Or, of course, it could mean that it is ready to be squeezed!

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