Life Is a Bowl of Cherries Still Life Art

Still Life painting adult as an art genre from the primeval centuries during the Egyptian and Roman periods. The history of the object tin can exist tracked in many still lifes, from fruits, vegetables, skulls, and goblets. This article will explore the history of Still Life and famous Nonetheless Life paintings.

Table of Contents

• one Freedom of Choice: What Is a Still Life?
  • 1.1 Still Life Definition
• 2 History of However Life Painting
  • ii.1 Academic Art and the Hierarchy of Genres
  • two.2 What Is a Still Life?
  • 2.3 The Unofficial Still Life Paintings: From Ancient to Classical Antiquity
  • 2.four Renaissance Still Life
  • 2.five Dutch Still Life
  • 2.half-dozen Modernistic Still Life
• 3 Famous Nevertheless Life Artists
  • 3.1 Jan Bruegel the Elder (1568 – 1625)
  • three.2 Frans Snyders (1579-1657)
  • 3.3 Willem Claesz Heda (1594–1680)
  • 3.4 Pieter Claesz (1597–1661)
  • three.5 Willem Kalf (1619 – 1693)
• 4 Still Life: Withal in the Game
• 5 Frequently Asked Questions
  • 5.1 What Is a Still Life?
  • 5.two What Does "Withal Life" Mean?
  • 5.3 What Are the Types of Still Lifes?
  • 5.iv What Are Vanitas Paintings?
  • 5.5 What Is the Plural Word for Still Life?

Liberty of Choice: What Is a Still Life?

Earlier we await at the history of Still Life or even famous Nonetheless Life paintings, it is of import to understand and inquire the question: what is a Still Life? For many it might seem like a slow genre of painting: a mere bowl of fruit, flowers, or kitchen utensils arranged in a cracking manner on a table or any other surface, merely this is exactly what a Withal Life is.

A Still Life is composed of a diversity of both breathing and inanimate objects, such every bit utensils, leaf, and food (anything from man-made to natural), which are then arranged by the artist in a unique manner.

The diversity of arrangements and objects to choose from are vast, which makes this genre of painting anything only tiresome. This style of painting also gives artists significant liberty of choice. Artists tin can choose how to paint a however life in terms of what the palette of colors are, the ambiance of the composition, as well equally its size.

Vanitas with musical instruments, fine vessels, books, an extinguished candle, a skull and ears of wheat(1657-1675) by Franciscus Gijsbrechts; Franciscus Gijsbrechts, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

Notwithstanding Life Definition

The term "Still Life" was officially used to proper noun a genre effectually the late 1500s into the 1600s (xvi^thursday and 17^thursdayCentury) in the netherlands. It is translated from the Dutch word southtill leven. In French, the term for Even so Life is nature morte, which ways "expressionless nature". In Italian, it translates to natura morta, which likewise means "dead nature".

The very definition of yet life then alludes to something without life, without movement – an inanimate object.

History of Still Life Painting

Nonetheless Life art has its origins in as early as Egyptian and Roman times. It was besides prevalent during the Middle Ages and Renaissance Era, but officially became a genre of painting after these periods inside visual arts history. Still Life as an official genre falls among the lower tiers of the hierarchy of visual art genres. There are also different styles of Nevertheless Life painting, simply permit united states of america first discuss the bureaucracy of genres and situate However Life within this for more than context.

Bloom handbasket (between 1640 and 1684) by January van den Hecke;Attributed to January van den Hecke, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Academic Art and the Hierarchy of Genres

In 1669, the historiographer, André Félibien, who was in the French Academy, provided a succinct categorization for the dissimilar styles of visual arts. Other academies included the University of Art in Rome and Florence, besides as the Purple University in London and the aforementioned French Academy.

The categories were ranked from highest to everyman, starting with History Painting, Portraiture, Genre Painting, Landscapes, and lastly Still Life. The categories, otherwise referred to as ranking systems, were designed to distinguish between different artworks and their monetary value, also as qualify for exhibition spaces and art prizes.

During this fourth dimension in European history, the ranking system for paintings came from the Academic fine art movement, which sought to educate artists according to artistic principles and to distinguish between art and fine art done as a arts and crafts.

I of the primary aims of Bookish art was that art needs to share a message, more and then a moral bulletin. This was measured by the types of paintings created, for example, the History Painting genre was ameliorate able to convey a moral message than a Still Life painting genre.

This was because history paintings, for example, were larger in size and utilized within a public space while still life paintings were created as smaller paintings for personal use. Furthermore, history paintings had more scope to portray religious narratives where notwithstanding life paintings seemed more limited to a particular subject matter.

A Still Life with Artichokes, Radishes, Asparagus, Plums, Cherries and Peaches in a Basket, together with a Ham and Pig's Trotters on pewter Plates, a Herring, a Tongue and some Butter on bluish-and-white Dishes, Mulberries in a blue-and-white Basin, a Knife, Bread, Grapes and a Lemon with a cleaved berkemeyer Glass, all on a Table partly covered by a white Cloth (c. 1615) by Jacob van Hulsdonck;Jacob van Hulsdonck, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

What Is a Still Life?

There are various types of still life paintings, which are referred to as "pieces" and fall within the following categories: "flowers", "feast or breakfast", "animal", and "symbolic". Within the symbolic category, we also see the popular Vanitas However Life, which made apply of various objects to convey a deeper message about life and death.

The term vanitas means "vanity" in Latin and relates the message that life is brusk and the zipper to materiality is a vain attempt. The term is also derived from the Bible's Ecclesiastes verse that states: "Vanity of vanities, everything is vanity". Objects would symbolize these above principles.

Some of the more pop items we see in Vanitas Still Life paintings are skulls, watches, hourglasses, to proper name a few – all suggestive of the passing of time and life, in other words, the transitory nature of life. Other objects utilized would convey materiality and the accruing of wealth and attachments to earthly desires, or pleasures like die, vino, fabrics, jewelry, gilded, amid many others.

The Unofficial Still Life Paintings: From Ancient to Classical Antiquity

Notwithstanding Life paintings in ancient Egyptian tombs consisted of common foods and objects, although they held deeper meanings than being mere tombstone decorations. The still life depictions were in honor of the dead and their usage in the afterlife. For instance, a bowl of food would be included and then that the person would have something to eat in the afterlife.

A particular of an offerings scene from the burial sleeping accommodation of Menna (c. 1422-1411 BCE); Maler der Grabkammer des Menna, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

The Tomb of Menna, also referred to equally TT69 (Theban Tomb 69), is a well-known Egyptian tombstone. It houses a rich and well-preserved display of However Life paintings as well as depictions of day-to-24-hour interval living and funerary rituals. It is believed to exist the burial site of Menna, who was an official to the King and "Overseer" of agricultural occupations.

We as well find Still Life paintings in classical artifact, during the Greek and Roman periods. During the archaeological excavations in areas similar Pompeii and Herculaneum, diverse Roman villas were discovered depicting Nevertheless Life paintings as frescoes and mosaics.

These depictions appeared more decorative compared to ancient Egyptian fine art, and illustrated how people indulged in the joys of daily life. It also often depicted the lavishness of the homeowner.

One example is the Still Life with Glass Bowl of Fruit and Vases (c. 63 to 79 CE), discovered in Pompeii. Other examples fifty-fifty allude to Still Life already functioning as an art genre and decorative painting fashion during the Greek times. This originates from the legend of 2 Greek painters, Zeuxis and Parrhasius, who competed with one another in painting.

However life with drinking glass bowl of fruit and vases(c. 63 and 79 CE) past an unknown Pompeian painter;Naples National Archaeological Museum, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

The Roman philosopher and writer, Pliny the Elder, likewise mentioned a Greek painter called Peiraikos. He wrote about the artist's success equally the superlative painter in his genre in his publication Natural History (78 CE). He wrote about Peiraikos' subject affair as consisting of "barbers' shops, cobblers' stalls, asses, commons, and similar subjects". He connected to describe the painter as a "rhyparographos", a "painter of clay/low things".

Renaissance Still Life

During the Middle Ages and into the Early on Renaissance menstruum, Still Life painting accompanied religious artworks as supplementary stylistic elements with symbolic meanings. These were usually painted in the backgrounds of religious paintings likewise as on other artistic works like illuminated manuscripts, which were seen in Northern Renaissance and Early Netherlandish paintings.

In that location was a primary focus on the office of the Yet Life inside a religious context.  This is axiomatic in the works of the Flemish painter, Jan van Eyck, where his paintings are coupled with what is referred to equally "iconographic" paintings.

Other artists like Leonardo da Vinci and the German language painter Albrecht Dürer painted Nevertheless Lifes without religious symbolism. For case, Still Life paintings were washed of various natural objects of fauna and flora. At this stage, Renaissance even so life paintings were also washed to explore the natural globe by observing it and and then painting information technology.

Dutch All the same Life

Still Life painting started as a genre in holland, or what was termed every bit the Low Countries, which comprised of Belgica, Flanders, and the Netherlands. The Dutch Gold Historic period was a result of Dutch independence from Kingdom of spain, which led to the Dutch Republic existence born. Nonetheless Life was especially prominent as a painting manner during this fourth dimension, especially paintings of flowers.

The Protestant Revolution too minimized the production of religious artworks, which led the way for other types of genres of painting to be explored. Still Life paintings were favored because they depicted the everyday scenes of people and their lives and had inherent symbolic meanings from various objects. This branched into what was called "Dutch Realism".

Still Life with a Boy Blowing Soap-bubbles(1635-1636) past Gerrit Dou;Gerrit Dou, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Dutch Realism focused on the ordinary depictions of people, specifically the middle class, which consisted of traders and merchants. When it came to painting, artists painted subject affair for merchants who were more than focused on depicting what they have earned in life. Other popular painting genres were portrait and genre paintings of everyday people and their skills and various embellishments.

Paintings during this period were as well pocket-sized and done for private dwelling house display every bit opposed to paintings done on larger scales for churches or altarpieces, as was mutual for the Catholic Church.

Even so, because this was dominantly a Protestant culture, there was not a need to flaunt artworks in the same way. Furthermore, the common types of Still Life paintings, or sub-sets, included the aforementioned Vanitas genre, Ontbijtjes (which translates to "breakfast pieces"),Pronkstilleven (which translates to "ornate"), or "ostentatious" displays of Notwithstanding Life pieces, every bit well as florals.

Modernistic Still Life

Modern Still Life prevailed during fine art movements similar Impressionism and Post-Impressionism. Notably, during Post-Impressionism, Vincent van Gogh brought Still Life painting to life with his expressive and flower and vase paintings. An instance of this includes his piece, Sunflowers (1889).

Some other French creative person from Post-Impressionism, Paul Cézanne, painted Still Lifes with fruit, staff of life, bottles, and baskets atop a seemingly toppling table, as inThe Basket of Apples (c. 1895). The difference betwixt these paintings and the more realistic Dutch Nonetheless Life paintings was that these modern artists used more expressive brushstrokes, colors, and different perspectives.

La Corbeille de pommes (' The Basket of Apples', 1893) by Paul Cézanne;Paul Cézanne, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Cézanne too incorporated familiar elements that we detect from the Dutch Vanitas era, for instance, the characteristic skull in his piece of work titled Withal Life with Skull (c. 1895 to 1900). Accompanying the skull on another seemingly toppling tabletop are various fruits, one of them with a piece either cutting or bitten out of it, placed direct in front end of the skull's mouth.

During the Cubist art movement, popular artists like Pablo Picasso and Georges Braque created Nevertheless Life paintings in their feature abstract and cubic style. An instance of this is in Picasso'south Big Still Life (1881 to 1973) and Braque'sStill Life with Metronome (1909).

In contemporary Still Life art, we notice photography, computers, and videos as a means of portraying everyday objects and food. The development of applied science has allowed a hyper-realistic portrayal of subject area affair, from painting to beeing computer-generated. The sail of Still Life art has evolved dramatically into the 21st Century.

Famous Still Life Artists

Nonetheless Life art is a vast and diverse genre of painting, with many great artists depicting their unique styles and subject thing. Beneath, we await at some of the prominent names within this painting fashion and some of their famous Nonetheless Life paintings.

Jan Bruegel the Elder (1568 – 1625)

Jan Bruegel, a Flemish painter born in Brussels, was a leading artist in the Yet Life genre. He specialized in floral paintings and was known by the nickname "Flower" because of his vast experience and occupation with floral Still Lifes. He also specialized in paradisal landscape paintings.

One of his famous paintings includes Flowers in a Wooden Vessel (1606 to 1607), which depicts an elaborate display of various types of flowers. Bruegel took great care hither to describe each flower without it being in front or behind another flower. We can encounter the fine detailing of each flower.

Flowers in a Wooden Vessel(1606-1607) past January Brueghel the Elder;Jan Brueghel the Elder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

The flowers in the foreground are highlighted against the dark background of the painting, giving them more prominence. We besides notice an array of flowers strewn on the tabletop, making the composition appear more natural.

Other works include Flowers in a Ceramic Vase (c. 1620), which appears similar to the abovementioned painting, nevertheless, Bruegel managed to depict each painting uniquely despite the field of study matter beingness the aforementioned. Hither again, nosotros meet a colorful array of dissimilar flowers arranged delicately every bit if by paw. Interestingly, Bruegel oft painted flowers from different seasons, which suggests that he did not pigment from an actual model of flowers in a vase.

Small Bouquet of Flowers in a Ceramic Vase(1599) by January Brueghel the Elder;Jan Brueghel the Elder, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

Frans Snyders (1579-1657)

Frans Snyders was born in Antwerp and is known as ane of the pioneers of Flemish Bizarre art. He specialized in Withal Life paintings with unlike field of study matter, with a special focus on a range of animals like poultry, monkeys, hares, birds, and dogs, amid others. He also painted hunting and market scenes.

His paintings are various in their composition with a smashing eye for particular of dissimilar objects and textures.

I of his famous paintings isPantry Scene with a Page (1579 to 1657), which depicts a page on the left of the composition picking a grape from a bunch of fruit on a stand. We as well notice various other foodstuffs similar a large shrimp, a boar's head in the peak right corner, and other expressionless animals.

The Pantry (first half of the 17th century) by Frans Snyders;Frans Snyders, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

This composition depicts the page taking from an elaborate pick of food, a richness of nourishment. This is suggestive of the opulence of life likewise as of luxury and being tempted past information technology. Additionally, the dead animals besides suggest the shortness of life and that cloth goods are not sufficient.

Other works past Snyders include Wild Boar Hunt (1649), All the same Life with a Swan (1613), and All the same Life with Dead Game, Fruits, and Vegetables in a Market (1614). The latter painting is a dynamic portrayal of different kinds of dead animals, fruit and vegetables in baskets, and kitchen utensils. Nosotros encounter a gentleman standing to the left of the painting holding a basket of food in his right arm while tipping his lid with his left hand, seemingly oblivious of the boy pickpocketing him.

In the forefront of the composition, we find a blackness cat with a focused gaze on two cocks in a squabble. This further adds to the dynamism of the scene, including the live human figures combined with the still life objects. He was as well influenced by the Flemish painter Peter Paul Rubens, whom he also worked with on various projects.

Still Life with Dead Game, Fruits, and Vegetables in a Market(1614) by Frans Snyders;Frans Snyders, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Willem Claesz Heda (1594–1680)

Willem Claesz Heda was born in Haarlem in the Netherlands and was one of the leading painters but engaged in However Life paintings. He primarily specialized in "breakfast pieces" (ontbijtjes). He is well-known for his fine attention to item as well as his rendering of light in how he utilized colors. His works take a heightened sense of naturalism, almost inviting united states to touch each object as if information technology were real.

We will discover his focus on bailiwick matter like silverware and glass along with foods like oysters, hams, and mincemeat pies.

Some of his famous artworks include Breakfast Table with Blackberry Pie (1631), Still Life with Oysters, a Silverish Tazza, and Glassware (1635), Withal Life with Oysters, Rummer, Lemon and a Argent Bowl (1634), Still Life with Olives(1634), Still Life with Golden Goblet (1635), Ham and Silverware (1649), and Still Life with Pie, Silver Ewer and Crab(1658).

When we look at Heda's Breakfast Table with Blackberry Pie, we notice a table with a silken tablecloth draped over the left half of information technology equally if it were specifically placed for the plates and glass cups on it for dining. The tabular array is prepare for what appears to be ii people, but only i plate has a piece of the blackberry pie, of which a function has been eaten. We also notice a spoon atop the principal blueberry pie.

Breakfast Table with Blackberry Pie(1631) by Willem Claesz Heda;Willem Claesz Heda, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

On the right side of the table, there is an overturned goblet, half of which is lying on some other empty silver plate. There is besides a glass goblet with liquid in it. Towards the left, there are 2 glasses, i overturned with a piece broken off, and 1 with liquid in it, possibly wine. The entire limerick denotes a rather lavish scene in which someone has already dined or is in the process of dining.

In Nevertheless Life with a Gilt Loving cup (1635), we observe a similar table setting, this time with a beige tablecloth over one-half of the table, appearing equally if information technology was a quick luncheon or snack. The fundamental object on the table is a glass goblet. There are two argent plates, 1 with oysters and one with a lemon in the process of existence peeled; the peel is draped over the edge of the table.

Even so Life with a Gilt Loving cup(1635) past Willem Claesz Heda;Willem Claesz Heda, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

We also notice an overturned glass on the correct of the table, suggesting this repast was or is in the procedure of existence well enjoyed or but simply suggestive of an blow while dining. The scene, although a Still Life, suggests movement in that information technology appears that the activity of dining is currently taking place. The composition appears darker in color and contrast, with an unknown low-cal source emanating from the left.

While many of Heda'south Nonetheless Life paintings appear seemingly similar in their compositional layouts and subject affair, each one is unique in its ain right considering of the placement of objects and how they catch the light.

Pieter Claesz (1597–1661)

Pieter Claesz was born in Belgium in Berchem, and he was a peer of Heda's. The two artists painted very similarly, oftentimes with monochromatic colors and an emphasis on light captured in a painting. Claesz explored the Ontbijtjes style, but also painted in the Vanitas fashion, giving his compositions an additional symbolic nature.

Some of Claesz famous artworks include Still Life with Musical Instruments (1623), Vanitas with Violin (1625), Vanitas All the same Life with Spinario (1628), Still Life with Skull (1630), Still Life with Roemer, Crab and a Peeled Lemon (1643), Still Life with Fruit and Roemer (1644), Still Life with Common salt Tub (1644), amongst others. In Nonetheless Life with Musical Instruments, we notice a large table with an array of foodstuffs and items, a cello and violin to the correct, and a small accompanying table with two glass domes and a turtle on it in the foreground.

In Claesz'south Vanitas Withal Life with Spinario nosotros also notice the characteristic skull on a table alongside many other items including a big sculpture of a boy fiddling with his foot. This composition encompasses a bigger infinite, which appears to be a room of some sort, possibly a study due to the books, armor, and musical instruments strewn seemingly haphazardly on the floor.

Vanitas Still Life with the Spinario(1628) past Pieter Claesz; Pieter Claesz, Public domain, via Wikimedia Eatables

Willem Kalf (1619 – 1693)

Willem Kalf was born in Rotterdam in Amsterdam and was another popular Still Life creative person who specialized in the manner chosen Pronkstilleven. His work is characterized by the inclusion of Chinese porcelain bowls and jugs. Nosotros also notice keen attention to detail in his objects, which not but displays Kalf'due south artistic skill only emphasizes the inherent symbolism of the limerick.

This symbolism points to the transience of life, equally well equally the idea of lavishness.

This realism allows us to nearly bear upon each object, relishing in its texture and colors. This is some other important attribute of Kalf'south work – the way he works with colour to describe low-cal and the textures of each object to give information technology realism beyond the paint that creates it.

Some of Kalf's famous artworks include Still Life with a Silver Ewer and a Porcelain Bowl (1660). Here, we encounter the familiar porcelain bowl tipped with fruit tumbling out of it. To the left is a resplendent silver ewer every bit the central object of the composition, coupled with an intricately designed golden goblet backside it.

Still Life with a Silvery Jug and a Porcelain Basin(1656) by Willem Kalf;Willem Kalf, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Some of the symbolic aspects of this painting are alluded to past the half-peeled, moldy lemon, which denotes time and disuse. Additionally, in that location is a watch to the lesser correct on the table, pointing to time and in plough, to the transcience of life. Conversely, the realism of each object suggests an appointment with our senses and the lavishness of enjoying food.

Other works by Kalf, which appear seemingly similar in composition, although each is unique in its portrayal, includeYet Life with Drinking Horn (c. 1653) and Still Life (1660), which includes the characteristic porcelain vase and peeled lemon. Kalf besides uses tapestries as tablecloths with a darker colour palette.

However, the darker color palette still shows us how Kalf utilizes texture and light in his compositions. This is especially highlighted by how light reflects off the silverware, including the yellowish of the lemon, axiomatic in the silver ewer in the abovementioned painting.

Nevertheless Life with the Drinking-Horn of the Saint Sebastian Archers' Guild, Lobster and Glasses (c. 1653) past Willem Kalf;Willem Kalf, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Still Life: Notwithstanding in the Game

The evolution and history of Nevertheless Life painting are as rich and vast every bit the fruits and meats it makes up. The function played by these various plates of foodstuffs and accompanying objects have been a attestation to this unique artistic genre.

From ancient Egyptian tombs to Roman murals, from the realism of Dutch Vanitas to the hyper-realism of 21st Century photographs – all depicting inanimate objects – the nature of Nonetheless Life paintings occupies a place in the visual arts earth without which we might be at a loss for appetite.

Take a look at our Nevertheless Life art webstory hither!

Oft Asked Questions

What Is a Yet Life?

A Nevertheless Life is a painting composed of inanimate objects similar kitchen utensils, foliage, food, dead animals, clocks, and musical instruments, amid others. It is composed of annihilation from man-made to natural subject thing. These are all placed in different arrangements by the artist, sometimes for symbolic meanings and other times as fine art for art's sake.

What Does "Withal Life" Mean?

The Still Life definition comes from the Dutch word Nonetheless leven. In French, it isnature morte and in Italian, information technology is natura morta – both terms mean "dead nature". This directly points to what a Still Life inherently is, which is an arrangement of inanimate objects, and often that of dead nature, similar expressionless animals, foodstuffs that allude to fourth dimension passing and thus rotting, too as something that stands still, which can otherwise be considered "dead".

What Are the Types of Notwithstanding Lifes?

There are different categories of Still Life paintings, which are referred to as types. These types are also called "pieces" and are, namely, flowers and floral types, banquet or breakfast types, animate being types, and symbolic types (known as Vanitas).

What Are Vanitas Paintings?

The Latin term Vanitas means "vanity", which is a concept explored in these types of Still Life paintings. They symbolize the shortness of life through the depiction of skulls, clocks, and even half-peeled fruit, indicating disuse and the element of rotting and dead animals (sometimes juxtaposed with live animals). The term too derives from the Bible'south Ecclesiastes poetry, which states: "Vanity of vanities, everything is vanity".

What Is the Plural Word for Still Life?

The word "Still Life" refers to a work of art. Although information technology uses the word "life" in it, it does not refer to a living entity such as a person. Because of this stardom, the noun "life" receives an "s" at the end and does not become what we would unremarkably call it in the plural form, "lives".

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Source: https://artincontext.org/still-life-painting/

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