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Gallery of Still Life Paintings |
Ensemble II
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Vase Avec Marguerites et ...
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Patty's Tulips
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Gallery Description
The depiction of inanimate objects is called “still life”: a strange contradiction to what is being depicted. Still life paintings may be simply straightforward representations of objects or may be intended to convey much more subtle moral and social message.
The most common subjects of still life paintings include objects such as flowers, flower vases, tables and chairs, fruits, books, newspapers, musical instruments and so on. Many or each of these objects and the way they have been portrayed have complex significance. For instance, cut flowers, a snuffed-out candle, or signs of decay in fruit and other food represent the transience of life and are meant to remind viewers of their own mortality.
Still life paintings have evolved both in purpose and style. They started in Europe from they traveled to America. At that time still life paintings were largely used for shop signs and developed as an effective way of advertising. The earliest still life painters include James Peale and Martin Johnson Heade who practiced still life paintings not just as an art but also a science. Their curiosity for the natural things and their rendering to the world made their work striking and intense. This style was taken one step further by artists such as William Harnett, John Frederick; they simulated shadows and reflections, colors and textures in still life. Such paintings are illusionary mysteries to the eyes of the viewers.
At the same time, still life paintings were being tried with other styles of paintings as well. While painters such as William Chase and Emil Carlsen used impressionistic styles in the still life paintings, the earlier twentieth century artists transformed them using modernistic styles. Fragmented spaces of cubism and the nuances of the organic forms were captured in still life paintings.
These days, still life paintings have undergone drastic changes in their style. The objects depicted in these paintings no longer carry subtle messages but have become strong icons of a consumer-driven culture.
Whatever be the style and purpose, however, still life paintings by themselves will remain immortal. See our gallery of some of the finest still life paintings.
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Tuesday, October, 7 th
2008
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