José Agustín Arrieta

Since at least 1843, Arrieta started painting alacenas, which Olivares defines as “works that are composed by the reproduction of every kind of object: crystal pieces, porcelain, bronze objects, fruits, flowers, kitchen utensils, vegetables, fish, poultry, etc.…” One of the most outstanding virtues of these paintings, besides the careful interpretation of their composing elements, is the peculiar presence of two or three types of composition schemes. Some may have an element such as a fruit bowl, a tureen, or a basket. All alacenas have as a distinctive feature the edge of the table or surface on top of which the objects stand; Arrieta’s signature appears on many of said surfaces. With great mastery, the artist paints crystal objects, transparent and with different colors such as blue, yellow, green, and dark red, oblong liquor bottles with its corresponding glasses. The foodstuffs range from seeds to fruits, and ornamental objects are usually flowers.