Jean Simeon Chardin (1699-1779) was arguably themost talented Fench painter of the eighteenthcentury, best known for his original still lifes.Composed of simple, everyday objects, these worksglow with warmth and magic, from the dull ironof the kitchen pans, to the glaze of the greenearthenware jug or the shining copper of thecauldron. There is no superfluous detail or searchfor decorative effect; the beauty of his paintings liesin their minimalism. His, contemporary, thephilosopher Diderot, looking at The O/ive Jar,excaimed: 'All you have to do is take these biscuitsand eat them ... pick up the glass of wine and drink it... O Chardin! It's not red, white or black pigmentthat you crush on your palette; it's the verysubstance of the objects.'

  This beautifully illustrated introduction to theartist is provided by Gabriel Naughton, a director ofthe fine art dealers Agnew's, and head of thedepartment of Old Master Drawings.