_edited.png){kind=logo}
So, the question of the day was "what is the one genre of art, which does not have people in it?" The trivia answer is:
Still life images.
But what exactly is a still life, since many images across many different mediums, timelines and genres show things not moving and are devoid of people. How do you tell the difference between a still life and a static image?
Any true still life will have a few things going for it. These include:
The subject of the art are usually combinations of inanimate objects such as food, fruits, utensils, musical instruments, plants, books and more infrequently skulls and skeletons of animals. There are other still life subgenres, in which these more morbid symbols are regularly seen.
The subjects are painted in a highly accurate realistic style. There is no doubt a grape is a grape.
The subjects are often either at the peak of their freshness and/or have been partially consumed.
Objects arranged on a horizontal surface such as tabletops, windowsills
Objects are often backlit and are painted with a very closeup and detailed perspective.
While humans are notably absent, often their presence is implied, with food or drink being partially peeled or eaten, a book being left open, or an animal lying dead on the table or wall.
While many people think of still life painting occurring during as a specific period and location, such as the Aaron image above from the 1700's, still life is a genre which has had a long history reaching back to the Roman Empire (see the wall art below) and coming forward to present day.
Why was still life a thing? Still life was designed of course for decoration, but it also was designed for the viewer to reflect on life, and how brief life could be. This reflection was supported by fruit, food and fowl which were at the peak of their freshness. Once the peak is reached, there is nowhere left to go but downward toward decay. Note in the first image the half full glass. There is no pitcher or bottle to fill the glass, there is no returning to a beginning. If there are dead animals, they cannot be expected to wake up and hop across the table. The end cannot be changed or erased. This theme is common in still life and is one key reason there are no people to be seen, the lack of people in the image encourages the viewer to place themselves in the room and to contemplate their own existence.
Are still life's a thing today? Still life was the impetus for many of the art photography images we see today, as well as the starting point for many different styles of art. Famous artists such as Claude Monet with his post-impressionistic haystack and water lilies series meet a number of still life criteria. So its reasonable to ask, if I am decorating won't a "traditional" still life make my home look dated and like a college library? A lot of the way a traditional feeling can be made to fit a modern home is in content, the framing and size considerations. It will be challenging to have imagery of wine and deceased rabbits work with the more modern home or office. But using a wonderful photograph of florals and fruit with a metal frame would bring a still life vibe into a more modern interpretation. However, if you are looking for an actual painting or print, the traditional still life are available and can be worked into that classical library or office with lots of wood and leather. This is a look which states old school, power, class and status in a fabulous way.
Let us look before we go into another interesting subgenre of still life, which is vanitas. Earlier we chatted about skulls and skeleton, and how these elements can be used in the still life. This is where the vanitas, genre within the still life comes into its own. Along with its name which is Latin for vanity, you may hear this linked to the term memento mori, or reminder of death. These still life images are composites in that they have the wonderful food, fruit or flowers that are full of vibrant colors, but then there will be clear imagery of death. In still life the viewers future passing, or limited life impact is implied to be pondered. In vanitas, its absolutely clear.
Flowers and tiny creatures – Vanitas (second half of 17th century) by Abraham Mignon.
Flowers and Tiny Creatures really provides this concept clearly. Still no humans in sight, but the bird skeleton, snakes and things that can harm you and partnered with beetles and snails who aid in decomposition, remind the viewer without a doubt that the world can be a beautiful and yet deadly place. And that when they do die, there is a plan to reduce you to bones standing by to start! Yet the flowers are stunning, bright and varied, which is where the viewers eyes are initially drawn. That is a hallmark of still life.
So how do you integrate the vanitas genre into a home or office? It might work well if your style leans into goth, or a bit dark and edgy. Could this go into a more traditional office environment? It would probably be a bit of a stretch but if you enjoy this, have a home office and it would be something that in a video visit would be seen from a distance and for a limited time, the bright colors and flowers seen in the Mignon above, could work. A large wreath and encircling a human skull would probably be a much more difficult lift for any work environment. When talking about home decor, you do you, but it might be a tough lift for a kitchen or dining area. Might work best for a den, home office, or secondary room. These images can be more challenging to find, as there is a dedicated fan base for them. If you want to incorporate them quickly and in a moderate price point ($200.00 or less) you may need to consider quality lithographs to support your design plans.
Thanks for hanging out with ContreLeMur and Clifford tonight. Until our next visit, keep thinking artful thoughts!
Comments