The Parma National Gallery can be accessed by crossing a monumental double stairwell, among the exhibits are the works of Tintoretto and Guercino, La scapigliata by Leonardo da Vinci, paintings by Beato Angelico, Canaletto and Correggio.
Among the works in the collection, “Pantry”catches the eye, with game, a wedge of cheese, lemons, cat, dove and guinea pig, by Felice Boselli. The oil on canvas from 1690 depicts some of the delicatessen of the Parma area on a domestic backdrop: a piece of Parmesan cheese, sides of pork used for preparation of hams amongst which the sweet dry-cured raw Parma ham, vegetables, and receptacles for wine.
Painted during a period of famine, the dead nature on it was intended to represent the ingredients for a healthy diet. Or perhaps it was a forerunner for the photos of the dishes of food bloggers?
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