Still life with jug, wine flask, plate of macaroni and savory pie

The still life with macaroni is today exhibited at the Royal Palace in Naples, where it has been located since 1945, although it is part of the heritage of the Royal Palace of Caserta.

In 1817, the work was exhibited together with its pendant in the “Room for toilette use” (Dressing Room) in Carditello, replacing the paintings with dogs and game that were present in 1792 and never returned following the Restoration.

In 1887, the two paintings were sent to Caserta, where – before their paths parted – they

were recorded in the 1905 inventory.

The painting, signed by Giacomo Nani, evokes a sort of open-air picnic: against a natural background, a wicker basket has just been opened!

In the foreground are a flask of wine, two chickens, sandwiches, a jug, and a plate of macaroni on which cheese has just been grated; pears and a freshly baked rustic cake, cooked in a copper pan, complete the depiction.