UNIT 2 THEME OPTION:
Still Life
VANITAS / MEMENTO MORI
What is a still life?
The term ‘still life’ describes an artwork, most often a painting, of inanimate objects. They commonly depict bowls of fruit, blooms of flowers or piles of books placed on a table. Whilst their depictions might seem simple, or even random, they are in fact meticulously planned and full of coded meanings.
The term ‘still life’ describes an artwork, most often a painting, of inanimate objects. They commonly depict bowls of fruit, blooms of flowers or piles of books placed on a table. Whilst their depictions might seem simple, or even random, they are in fact meticulously planned and full of coded meanings.
When and why did the still life genre start?
Still life painting flourished in Europe during the first half of the 17th century. Old Master artists like Caravaggio in Italy and Diego Velázquez in Spain experimented with it, but it was Flemish and Dutch artists, including Frans Snyders, Jan Brueghel the Elder, Rachel Ruysch and Jan Davidsz de Heem, that took still life painting to new heights.
These artists used still life painting to reflect their changing surroundings, opinions and morals. Objects such as flowers and skulls could be used to represent popular philosophical teachings about the nature of life and death. For example, some works celebrated life through blossom, whilst others used rotting vegetables or hunted animals as memento mori — reminders that everything, and everybody, dies.
Bibles and crucifixes were representative of the power of the church, which had recently experienced the protestant reformation. Luxury items, like silver candlesticks, were an analogy for the rise of the bourgeoise — a newly minted middle class made rich through maritime trade. Exotic fruits, meanwhile, were suggestive of an interest in travel and biology. Collectors could pick works that contained symbols which best reflected their interests and beliefs.
Furthermore, still life paintings were also an exercise for an artist’s showmanship. They could use the fuzzy flesh of a fruit, the silky fur of an animal or even a reflection on water in a clear glass to show off their dazzling skills for detail and realism.
Intro Videos to the still life genre/Vanitas
|
|
Sketchnote Assignment:
Link to Sketchnote resources for layout ideas
Link to Sketchnote resources for layout ideas
- What exactly is still life and when did this genre begin? How has it evolved throughout different art movements?
- What important terms and definitions stand out? Write these words and terms down and define them in your own words.
- Define these terms in sentences as well as simple illustrations:
- ideal of rational humanism, fiction vs reality, global trade/colonization
- objects to represent religious ideals
- vanitas and memento mori
- Art movements: Dutch Golden age
- Art movements: Impressionists: how did they approach still life ?
- Art movements: Cubism: Picasso and Braque
- Art movements: Pop art: consumerism and mass production
- What is it about our culture that is really authentic and important?
- Write down 4 artworks from different time periods highlighted in the videos above that use the genre of the still life. Add title, artist name, date, media and purpose of the artwork.
- What connections can you make to this theme and your previous knowledge? Can you make connections to other artforms (film, writing, literature etc?)
- What questions or curiosities do you have?
Death/mortality/vanitas/memento Mori-throughout art history
|
PBS Art 21-Exploring the theme of TIme in contemporary art |
Resources
Step by step breakdown on how to compose and draw a still life-LINK
Secrets hidden in Dutch Still Lifes-LINK
How 17th Century Dutch still lifes symbolize death-link
17 Contemporary artists reimagining still life-LINK
Contemporary Still life painting-LINK
The Art of Dying-Memento Mori through the ages-LINK
Secrets hidden in Dutch Still Lifes-LINK
How 17th Century Dutch still lifes symbolize death-link
17 Contemporary artists reimagining still life-LINK
Contemporary Still life painting-LINK
The Art of Dying-Memento Mori through the ages-LINK
Philippe de Champaigne, 1640
|
Clara Peeters 1625
|
Anna Valdez
|
Hilary Pecis, 2021
|
Landis Blair
Artists - still life
Herman Henstenburgh
Harmen Steenwijck Philippe de Champaigne Jan Davidsz de Heem Clara Peeters Fernando Botero Henri Matisse Giorgio Morandi Sheldon Tapley Audrey flack Janet Fish Lucy Roleff Bella Wattles Roy Lichtenstein David Hockney Roy Lichtenstein Yan Pei Ming William Bailey Inka Issenhigh Scott Fraser |
Patty Evert
Hilary Pecis Richard Hamilton Holly Coulis Nicole Dyer Anna Valdez Alex Egan Nikki Maloof Pedro Pedro Lucia Hierro Daniel Gordon-link to recent show Arden Surdam Stephanie H Shih Maria Nepomuceno Guy Yanai Olan Ventura Bill Viola-video artist-mortality |
Compositional structures for still life arrangement and framing
Still Life Analysis
Still Life Analysis
Link 1
Link 2
Do this in partners.
Open up a google presentation. Drop the photo in. Cite the name of the artist, the name of the painting and the year it was made. Also list the media used.
Note and describe the:
-compositional structure?
-what is the focal point? How has this been created?
-objects are depicted representationally/realistically or abstract/stylized?
-number of main objects?
-light source and shadow?
-color scheme: Are the colors saturated or desaturated?
-value contrast-high or low contrast?
-positive and negative space?
-where does the visual weight fall within the composition?
-what do the objects reveal about the time period/country of origin?
-POV of viewer on the still life?
Link 1
Link 2
Do this in partners.
Open up a google presentation. Drop the photo in. Cite the name of the artist, the name of the painting and the year it was made. Also list the media used.
Note and describe the:
-compositional structure?
-what is the focal point? How has this been created?
-objects are depicted representationally/realistically or abstract/stylized?
-number of main objects?
-light source and shadow?
-color scheme: Are the colors saturated or desaturated?
-value contrast-high or low contrast?
-positive and negative space?
-where does the visual weight fall within the composition?
-what do the objects reveal about the time period/country of origin?
-POV of viewer on the still life?
Reference photos and Final Plan Sketch
Take at least 5-10 photos of your still life. You may need to hold your object at a certain angle with the lighting you want to achieve the dramatic effect you are going for.
Consider:
On a page in your sketchbook, create a final plan sketch. Your sketch should be a half page-rough pencil sketch with color pencil to show your color scheme. Make sure to honor the background as well. Drawing Checklist: -3 objects minimum, with a variety of shapes and sizes. -Are you objects overlapping in any way? This helps group your objects. -How is your depiction of 3D form? How well did you draw your cylinders? Your cubes? -Where is your horizon line? What will your background include? -In your sketch and in writing explain the 3 surreal devices you will utilize and how. -Also note the compositional structure you are using in your still life arrangement. |
Final Plan Critique:
-In small groups, share your final plan. Explain your: 1-Selection of objects: any personal significance? Is there a story you are trying to tell about yourself/your life by your chosen selections? 2-Your compositional structure: What structure are you using for your objects? |
Critique Feedback from peers:
Comment on:
-The compositional structure- how might it be improved upon in terms of positive and negative space?
-The selection of objects? Are they are different in shape and size? How could their use of objects be more visually interesting? Any suggestions?
-The surreal devices? Are these all clearly used? How could this be improved?
-The background? Surreal? Long shadows? What are they doing in their background? What is a suggestion you could offer for them to improve upon it?
Comment on:
-The compositional structure- how might it be improved upon in terms of positive and negative space?
-The selection of objects? Are they are different in shape and size? How could their use of objects be more visually interesting? Any suggestions?
-The surreal devices? Are these all clearly used? How could this be improved?
-The background? Surreal? Long shadows? What are they doing in their background? What is a suggestion you could offer for them to improve upon it?
Painting Checklist:
-Use mixing tray for space for color mixing
-Change your water frequently
-Look at photo references AND have your REAL objects in front of you if possible
-Layer your watercolor paints in thin layers-GLAZING technique
-Start with your light values and add to your dark values
-Use mixing tray for space for color mixing
-Change your water frequently
-Look at photo references AND have your REAL objects in front of you if possible
-Layer your watercolor paints in thin layers-GLAZING technique
-Start with your light values and add to your dark values
Surrealist Artist Analysis-Form/Theme/Context and visual study
Choose a Surrealist Artist and do a Form/Theme/Context Analysis on their work.
Link to Surrealist Painters Pinterest Board so you can browse through the artists.
On 2 pages in your sketchbook, you should write in complete sentences and provide 1 paragraph for each category of Form, Theme, and Context. This is a required 3 paragraph analysis. |
Refer to the FTC chart to help you be as descriptive as possible.
Make sure to CITE your sources for information and you images.
|
This is an excellent example of a visual study of Dali's famous surreal painting titled, 'The Persistence of Time'. The student zoomed into one of the melting clocks within the painting and drew this in their sketchbook.