John Garton

Empty Pilsners

Inspired by: Henry George Todd, Study of Strawberries Adriaen van Otade, Company in a Tavern Matt Siber, McDonalds

oil on gesso panel

15″ x 20″

2024

In setting up and painting the still life Empty Pilsners, I drew inspiration from Henry George Todd’s Study of Strawberries and Adriaen van Ostade’s Company in a Tavern. Rather than ripe berries, I selected tumbling empty glasses, but set up and painted in a theme of vanitas painting. A cool emptiness prevails. The Dutch etching celebrates companions in a tavern, but my image captures the stillness of drinking glasses afterwards.