Tables hold diverse roles in art, functioning as both practical elements and rich symbols. In still life paintings, they provide structure and support for objects, as seen in works by Cézanne or Caravaggio. In narrative scenes, tables anchor the setting, depicting domesticity, banquets, or workshops.

Symbolically, tables often reflect themes of community and connection, such as in Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper. They can convey power and hierarchy in formal portraits or evoke isolation, as in Edward Hopper’s depictions of solitary figures. These interpretations highlight tables’ ability to represent human relationships and emotions.

Tables also transcend their functional use, becoming central to artworks themselves. Judy Chicago’s The Dinner Party uses a triangular table to celebrate women’s history, while conceptual artists like Joseph Beuys incorporate tables to question their traditional meanings. Whether as a setting, symbol, or medium, tables remain integral to art’s ability to explore and communicate the human experience.