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Jack Sprat Could Eat No Fat
Apples - In Pie or Plain
This is one instance in which Mrs. Sprat could be said to be dressed as formally
as her husband. This illustration is different in that the Sprats are clearly
not eating meat; in fact, it is one of the few illustrations where the food
is clearly defined. It is clever to show that they are both eating the same
fruit, assuming that the pie Mrs. Sprat is eating is intended to be apple.
Mrs. Sprat obviously takes great pleasure in having her fruit made into
something more fattening, richer, more decadent or more complex than the
simple, unaltered apple, without fat, that Jack eats. This is perhaps also
the only illustration where Mrs. Sprat does not appear heavier than Jack
and one of the few to ignore the image of a plate or platter, although the
shape of the serving tray is similar. What might the artist have wanted
to say, if anything, by placing the two pigeons at the front of this scene?
Could they be the bird equilavent of the Sprats? What feelings do the colors
used here evoke?
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