Tasting Notes: The Connoisseur's Collection
- katy1448
- 5 days ago
- 5 min read
American (Contemporary)
The Connoisseur’s Collection by Paul S. Brown is an exquisite series of five still-life paintings that celebrate the refined art of food and wine pairing. Each composition, carefully orchestrated on the same polished wooden table, is a meditation on texture, light, and harmony. The sequence moves through an evolving play of illumination—beginning with a softly lit background in the first painting and gradually shifting toward a more shaded, intimate atmosphere by the final piece. This deliberate transition mirrors the experience of a carefully curated tasting, where the palate deepens with every sip and bite.
Each painting features a distinct cheese and its ideal pairing, whether a fine wine or fortified counterpart, reflecting the artist’s meticulous research into flavour profiles. While the compositions stand alone as individual works of art, subtle details—such as the recurring presence of a cheese wire slicer in the second and third paintings—create an elegant thread of continuity throughout the series. Paul’s technical mastery is evident in every element, from the gleam of a wine glass to the rough textures of aged rinds and the soft folds of wrapping paper. The result is a sumptuous visual feast that invites connoisseurs and collectors alike to savour not just the depicted delicacies, but the artistry itself.
The series begins with a portrait of restraint and simplicity: a wedge of cave-aged cheddar, its waxen rind partially peeled back to reveal a golden, crumbly core. Paul’s rendering of texture is astonishing—the cracked surface of the cheese, the torn cloth, and the warm lustre of the wooden table all executed with remarkable precision. Unlike the other paintings, no wine is explicitly present. Instead, a corkscrew lies beside a scattering of corks, each one from the bottles featured in the subsequent works. This clever detail serves as a prologue, linking the entire series together while leaving an air of anticipation.
The choice of cheddar, sourced from Devon where Paul lives, pays homage to traditional English cheesemaking. A cave-aged variety develops a deeper, nuttier profile with hints of earthiness, making it a foundation upon which the rest of the series builds. The absence of a direct pairing encourages the viewer to imagine the possibilities—an invitation to engage with the scene beyond its immediate subject.
Here, the composition introduces a more elaborate interplay of textures and elements. The ashen rind of Tor, a Somerset goat’s cheese, is stark against the soft creaminess of Little Lily, its companion cheese. Paul’s eye for realism is particularly evident in his depiction of the straw matting beneath the arrangement—every fibre, every thread woven with painstaking accuracy.
A glass of Château Palmer No. 2 Claret stands tall, its deep ruby hue captured in masterful reflections. The wine’s rich, velvety tannins complement the tangy, citrusy sharpness of the goat’s cheese, forming a dynamic contrast of flavours. This interplay of acidity and depth is echoed visually in the balance of warm and cool tones across the canvas. With the inclusion of a cheese wire slicer, the painting subtly links itself to the next in the series, reinforcing the overarching sense of continuity.
At the heart of the series is its most ambitious composition. This painting, slightly larger in scale, serves as the anchor for the collection, its complexity mirroring the robust flavours of its subject: Cropwell Bishop Stilton, a cheese known for its rich, tangy intensity and signature blue veins. The choice of pairing—Taylor’s Port—is a classic one, the fortified wine’s sweetness balancing the saltiness of the cheese in a way that has been celebrated for centuries.
Grapes and ripe red plums punctuate the arrangement, their deep hues echoing the rich colour of the port in both the decanter and glass. The overall palette is warmer, richer, reinforcing the luxurious indulgence of this pairing. The return of the cheese wire slicer, first seen in the previous painting, strengthens the visual cohesion of the series. Paul’s handling of glass, particularly in the reflections on the decanter, demonstrates his command of light and transparency, a hallmark of his meticulous technique.
In this piece, Paul shifts toward a more delicate and ephemeral arrangement. The creamy softness of Brie de Meaux contrasts with the firmer texture of Driftwood, another artisan goat’s cheese from Somerset. The translucent paper that partially wraps the cheeses is painted with extraordinary precision—every crease, every fold capturing the fragile, tactile quality of the material.
A glass of ‘Big Salt’, an Oregon white wine, introduces an American influence, a nod to Paul’s roots. While many might instinctively pair Brie with a red wine, this crisp, mineral-driven white provides an intriguing contrast, enhancing the buttery richness of the cheese while cleansing the palate. The reflections in the wine glass, particularly where the wrapping paper catches the light, showcase Brown’s ability to elevate the everyday into something extraordinary.
The final painting in the series shifts into a more atmospheric, almost contemplative tone. The background has darkened, enveloping the composition in warmth and shadow, as though the tasting has reached its most intimate moment. A wedge of Gorgonzola Dolce rests on its crinkled wrapping paper, its creamy blue-veined interior painted with astonishing realism. The surface of the paper itself seems to crackle under the light, inviting the viewer to almost hear the sound of it being unwrapped.
A glass of Vin Santo, its amber hue glowing against the moody backdrop, completes the pairing. The honeyed sweetness of this Italian dessert wine finds a perfect counterpart in the Gorgonzola, its mild piquancy softened by the rich, syrupy notes of the wine. A ripe peach rests beside the composition, its velvety skin rendered with a tenderness that speaks to Paul’s ability to capture the sensory allure of his subjects.
Together, these five paintings form a journey through taste, tradition, and artistry. Paul’s devotion to the slow, methodical practice of painting mirrors the careful selection of each pairing, emphasising the craft behind both winemaking and cheesemaking. While each painting is a standalone masterpiece, they collectively weave a story—one of indulgence, refinement, and appreciation for life’s simple luxuries. Whether acquired individually or as a complete set, The Connoisseur’s Collection offers collectors the rare opportunity to own a piece of art that engages not just the eyes, but the senses.
Comentarios