Professor Will Adams

The Noble Stillness Baroque Still Life Painting

Baroque Background n  Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries. n  The term Baroque comes from the Portuguese word “barocca”, which

means “an irregular pearl”. n  The first Baroque works appeared in Italy and the style spread

north into Europe. n  Baroque still-life was hugely popular in the Netherlands and Flemish

society. n  Still-life had symbolic meanings that people at the time

understood, which usually taught moral lessons.

Characteristics of Baroque Painting

n Chiaroscuro n Painting from life n Extreme detail n Dynamic arrangement

and lighting n Rich colors

Famous Early Italian Baroque Paintings

Caravaggio’s “The Conversion of Saul”, c. 1600

Artemisia Gentellischi’s “Judith Beheading Holofernes”, 1614-1620

Hunting Imagery n  Dead animals from a hunt were a

popular subject. n  They are a great way to show off

technique n  Be sure to look for:

•  Textures like feathers, tassels, velvet, etc.

•  Strong composition •  Realism •  Hidden details •  Chiaroscuro lighting effects

Frans Snyders’ “Still Life With Dead Game, Fruits And Vegetables In A Market”, 1614

The Symbolism of Fruit

n Traditionally, this is what we usually think of when we hear “still-life”.

n Originally fruit was symbolic of the good, sweet things in life, abundance, sexuality, or even sin.

Examples of Fruit Still-Life

Caravaggio’s “Still-Life with Fruit”, 1601-1605

Willem van Aelst’s “Still-Life with Fruit & Crystal Vase”, 1652

Baroque Lighting Effects

n Look at the way the light affects how we see the different forms. • See how the light affect the textures, and reflections. • Notice how the light and shadow affect the mood of the painting.

Jan Davidsz de Heem’s “Still Life with Fruit and Lobster”, 1648

Notice The Composition

n Composition is the arrangement of elements and objects around the picture plane.

n Your eye travels from one point to another around the picture in a clockwise path.

n Good composition keeps your eye moving on a harmonious path.

n The triangle is a traditionally strong compositional path.

Look Closely!

Let’s play a round of:

Can You Find The Triangular

Composition?

Find The Bug!

n Insects were often added to a table setting within the still-life’s composition.

n They symbolized the decadence of the “good life” n They also warned the viewer of the temptations of

too much sweetness n In essence, they represent having “Too much of a

good thing”

The Five Senses

n  As still-life became more popular and began to evolve, its symbolism became more profound.

n  Objects symbolizing the five human senses were arranged on a table: •  Sight •  Sound •  Smell •  Touch •  Taste

n  Objects were chosen to symbolize pleasure.

Don’t Forget About The Composition!

Ways To Control Eye Movement

n Folds of cloth n Positioning of objects, bodies

n Repetition of colors n Emphasis from either highlights or shadows

n Height of objects n Details, textures, or negative space

n Eyes or gazes

Vanitas Still Life

n This type of still life was meant to remind the viewer of the fleeting quality of life.

n Life is wonderful, but goes by very quickly!? n Vanitas is about the swift approach of DEATH!

Hendrick Andriezsoon’s “Still-life Composition With Human Skull, Globe, Books, Crown, Miter, Bubbles, Mussel Shell With Bubble Pipe, Holly Crown On Skull, Watch On Table,

Candlestick (With Reflection Of Artist’s Portrait)”, 1650

Modern Vanitas Still Life

Audrey Flack’s “Queen”, 1975 - 1976 Audrey Flack’s “Marilyn (Vanitas)”,

1977

Angelina Jolie

“If I think more about death than some other people, it is probably

because I love life more than they do.”

Einde