[Sca-cooks] Clove defined and symbolism

[Elise Fleming]

Johnnae wrote:

 >I was thinking the consensus was butter or cheese when we last 
 >discussed the painting.

 >But of course one time one sees butter, one time cheese, but I don't
 >see it as a wafer.

 >Just to be contrary Food and Feasting in Art by Silvia Malaguzzi
 >(Getty 2008) has this painting on page 134 and there the description 
 >reads:

 >"The fish garnished with a carnation is a symbol of Christ. A fish is
 >a traditional emblem of Christ as sacrificial victim, and its 
symbolism >is emphasized here by the red flower."

 >So is it a piece of fish that bears the marks of a press or griddle?

Blowing up the photo to 200%, I can't see that it looks like fish.  The 
shape is a bit too regular to be a fish, splayed and flattened.  Then 
there's the golden brown edges.  To me, that golden brown would indicate 
  something that might be baked, where the edges get nice and crispy. 
Also, the "designs" seem to be fairly well indented which would be odd 
on a piece of grilled fish.  Wouldn't a fish have to be pretty dry for 
such marks to be left on its flesh.  What about something made with 
flour - a thin bread or a wafer??  The crispy brown edges would seem to 
preclude butter or cheese.

Alys K.
-- 
Elise Fleming
alysk at ix.netcom.com
http://home.netcom.com/~alysk/