Open Faced Sandwiches

Pieter Claesz, Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill, 1628 

 Oil on wood | The MET 49.107 

In this still life, a fascinating interplay unfolds between meticulous realism and overt symbolism. The artist, Claesz, masterfully renders each unsettling object—a toppled glass, a gap-toothed skull, and the guttering wick of an oil lamp—with an almost scientific precision. Using a restrained palette of grays and browns, he painstakingly captures the textures and surfaces, inviting close observation. Yet, these highly detailed elements are not merely aesthetic; they are potent symbols of life's fleeting nature. By artfully arranging these memento mori on a pitted stone ledge, Claesz extends the painting's space into ours, forging a powerful and inescapable connection that amplifies the artwork's profound message.

 Reduced Bread Intake/Lighter Meal

An open-faced sandwich is an excellent choice for those looking to cut down on their bread consumption or simply desire a lighter meal. By eliminating the top slice, the overall carbohydrate and calorie content is significantly reduced, making it a more diet-friendly option. This is particularly appealing for lunch or a snack when you want something satisfying without feeling overly full or sluggish. It allows you to enjoy the flavors of your fillings without the added density of a full sandwich, promoting a feeling of lightness and ease.

Condorhuasi-Alamito artist(s), Mask, 400 BCE–500 CE 

Geography: Argentina, Northwest Argentina 

Medium: Stone | The MET  2016.734.4 

This stone mask showcases an anthropomorphic face, characterized by a prominent brow ridge, an angular nose, and drilled perforations with raised ridges that delineate the eyes and mouth. Additional drill holes along the mask's outer edge suggest it was likely affixed with fibers to an armature, most probably as part of a funerary bundle.

The creators of this mask, the Condorhuasi-Alamito peoples, were llama pastoralists inhabiting what is now Argentina's Catamarca province. They were accomplished artisans, working skillfully with ceramic, metal, and stone. Archaeological findings indicate that the Condorhuasi-Alamito maintained extensive long-distance connections, including with the significant site of Tiwanaku near Bolivia's Lake Titicaca.

Showcasing Ingredients/Aesthetics

One of the primary motivations for crafting an open-faced sandwich is the opportunity to visually showcase the delicious ingredients within. Without a top layer obscuring the view, vibrant vegetables, perfectly cooked meats, and artfully arranged cheeses can take center stage. This makes the sandwich not just a meal, but a feast for the eyes, enhancing the overall dining experience. It's especially popular in culinary presentations or when preparing food for guests, as the aesthetic appeal can be just as important as the taste.

Jan van Kessel the Elder, Vanitas Still Life c. 1665/1670

Oil on copper | NGA 1995.74.2

Jan van Kessel the Elder's "Vanitas Still Life," painted between 1665 and 1670, is a powerful example of the Dutch Golden Age's deep contemplation of life's fleeting nature. This detailed piece, characteristic of the vanitas style, is packed with symbols. They all work together to subtly (or not so subtly) remind us that death comes for everyone and that our earthly possessions and good times won't last.

Every object in the painting is there for a reason, driving home this message. Skulls, wilting flowers, and extinguished candles are direct reminders of our mortality. Meanwhile, items like musical instruments, books, and overturned goblets represent how quickly earthly pleasures, knowledge, and material wealth can disappear. Van Kessel's incredibly precise way of painting each object doesn't just show off his talent; it also highlights how precious these things seem, only to then emphasize their ultimate unimportance in the grand scheme of time. The painting as a whole is a somber yet beautiful reflection on what it means to be human and how eternity ultimately outweighs our temporary pursuits.

Easier to Eat Certain Fillings

Some fillings are simply better suited for an open-faced format due to their texture or bulk. Ingredients that are prone to sliding out, are particularly moist, or are very generously piled can be much easier to manage without the constraint of a top slice. Think about a sandwich overflowing with roasted vegetables and a runny egg, or a delicate smoked salmon creation; an open-faced presentation prevents mess and allows for a more enjoyable, less cumbersome eating experience, often requiring a knife and fork.

Vincent van Gogh

Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette, 1886

oil on canvas | VGM s0083V1962

Painted around 1885-1886, Vincent van Gogh's "Head of a Skeleton with a Burning Cigarette" stands out as a peculiar and darkly amusing piece, contrasting sharply with the vibrant canvases he would later produce. This small oil on canvas, created during his time at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts in Antwerp, has garnered various interpretations.

One prevalent interpretation casts the work as a vanitas or memento mori, a traditional artistic reminder of life's fleeting nature and the certainty of death. Given Van Gogh's documented struggles with health and personal hardships during this period, the painting could very well be a reflection of his own contemplation of mortality.

Yet, a significant number of art historians also see it as a satirical critique of the rigid academic art conventions of the era. While sketching skeletons was a routine academic exercise, painting them was not. The jauntily positioned cigarette in the skull's mouth infuses a rebellious and almost comical touch, hinting at Van Gogh's impatience with strict instruction and his burgeoning desire to imbue even conventional subjects with his distinctive, often dark, humor. This intriguing work offers a compelling window into the artist's early artistic evolution and the depths of his complex psyche.

Enhanced Flavor Perception:

When you remove the top slice of bread, you create a direct sensory pathway to the fillings, allowing their individual flavors and aromas to be more immediately and intensely perceived. The bread acts as less of a barrier and more of a foundation, letting the star ingredients shine without competition. This can lead to a more nuanced and satisfying taste experience, as the palate is directly introduced to the full profile of the toppings without the initial overwhelming presence of a double layer of bread.

Torres Strait Island people, Mask (Le Op) 

 c. late 1800s

Turtle shell, hair, fiber, pigment | The MET 1978.412.729 

The Torres Strait Islands, strategically located between Australia and New Guinea, are renowned for their profound artistic heritage, with turtle-shell masks standing as a particularly iconic expression. These distinctive masks, a hallmark of the region's art, held central importance in a diverse array of ceremonial practices for centuries. Their existence was first documented by Western observers in 1606, and their production persisted until the late 19th century.

Across the various islands, the forms, materials, and imagery of these masks exhibited regional variations. In the eastern Torres Strait, masks referred to as le op (meaning human face) predominantly depicted human visages. These were frequently enhanced with realistic human hair, fashioned into coiffures and beards. Designed to completely envelop the performer's head, thereby concealing their face, le op masks were integral to initiations and other significant rites. Crucially, however, their most prominent role was in funerary ceremonies. These rituals served to both honor and placate the spirits of the departed, facilitating their passage to the "island of the dead," traditionally believed to lie towards the setting sun.

Versatility and Creativity:

The open-faced format encourages a broader spectrum of creativity and versatility in sandwich making. Without the need for two slices to "hold everything in," one can experiment with a wider array of ingredients, textures, and even cooking methods for the toppings. This allows for more unconventional combinations, warmer ingredients that might soften bread, or even elaborate spreads that would be impractical in a traditional closed sandwich, transforming a simple meal into a culinary canvas.