Lydia Panas’s “Chocolate” from 1965 is a very interesting photo that is deceptive through its clever use of shadow and color pallet. When I first looked at the photo, I immediately associated the objects with blocks of a precious metal such as gold, or silver. However, the details in the blocks emerge the longer the photo is observed. After viewing, I then read the title which was “chocolate” which really confused me because I would never have guessed that those were blocks of chocolate stacked atop each other. There is no clear evidence of them being chocolate pieces when first looking, but the sheared texture exhibited in their vertical facies help make the argument that they are chocolate. One aspect which gives exudes the illusion of a different material is the lighting in the piece which is reminiscent of chiaroscuro or sfumato paintings of the renaissance period. Additionally, the presence of the dropcloth or curtain as the background and setting for the piece gives another aspect of intense contrast to the composition. The vertically staggered square blocks differentiate greatly to the gentle sweeping curves of the fabric which draws the viewer’s eye first to the blocks and then the background. Delving into the meaning of the piece, the blocks of chocolate (if they really are chocolate) perhaps represent gold bars, associating the production of cocoa and chocolate with the truly lucrative industry which it is. It makes most sense that the blocks are displayed so proudly and prominently as they are because they are metaphorically representing gold.
Panas, Lydia. Chocolate. Artstor, 1965, https://library.artstor.org/#/asset/29957979;prevRouteTS=1698076587319. Accessed October 23, 2023.