Mound of Butter

Mound of Butter is one of French painter Antoine Vollon’s best known works. Created between 1875-1885, it features thick layers of paint and heavy brush strokes, mimicking the mouthwatering markings of the wooden spatula. A true Realist, Vollon’s rich yellows and deep browns capture butter at its best. Delightfully dolloped high with fresh eggs flanking it’s billowing cheesecloth cloak, Mound of Butter shows off the true crème de la crème of French dairy. While kitchen scenes and food preparation were common motifs in 19th century still life painting, Vollon’s work is so abundantly expressive and lavishly textured that “it might have been painted with butter itself”, according to art critic Grace Glueck.