Michael de Bono

together a glass of red wine and a carefully arranged selection of cheese, each element rendered with the luminous glazing and precise surface control characteristic of de Bono’s work. His use of chiaroscuro creates a sense of quiet theatre, allowing the objects to emerge from a restrained, shadowed ground with jewel‑like intensity. The painting draws on the traditions of Dutch Golden Age still life, yet its crisp edges, balanced geometry, and contemplative stillness give it a distinctly contemporary presence. De Bono’s interest in elevating everyday luxuries into meditative visual statements is central to his practice, and this piece forms part of a broader series exploring wine, fruit, and fine foods. Within that context, Fine Cheese with Red Wine stands out for its harmony of colour, its interplay of texture and reflection, and its intimate, inviting scale.