Baroque Still Life Painting

Baroque Still Life Baroque Still Life PaintingPainting

Game Birds, Table Setting, Game Birds, Table Setting,

Five Senses, VanitasFive Senses, Vanitas

BAROQUEBAROQUE

1717thth and 18 and 18thth Centuries, Centuries, Started in Started in ItalyItaly and went around and went around

EuropeEurope Baroque Still Life was hugely popular Baroque Still Life was hugely popular

in the Netherlands and in the Netherlands and FlemishFlemish society.society.

Still Life had Still Life had symbolicsymbolic meanings that meanings that people at the time understood, usually people at the time understood, usually moral lessonsmoral lessons..

Characteristics of Baroque Characteristics of Baroque PtgPtg

ChiaroscuroChiaroscuroPainting from Painting from LifeLifeExtreme Extreme detaildetailDramaticDramatic arrangement and arrangement and

lightinglightingRich Rich colorscolors

Famous Early Baroque Famous Early Baroque PaintingsPaintings

Caravaggio,

The Conversion of Saul

Artemisia Gentellischi,

The Beheading of Holofernas

HuntingHunting Dead animals from a hunt were a popular Dead animals from a hunt were a popular

subject.subject. They are a great way to show off They are a great way to show off techniquetechnique Look at:Look at:

– TextureTexture (feathers, tassels, velvet, etc) (feathers, tassels, velvet, etc)

– Strong compositionStrong composition..– RealismRealism– DetailsDetails (find the fly) (find the fly)– Lighting effectsLighting effects (chiaroscuro) (chiaroscuro)

FRUITFRUITTraditionalTraditional, what we , what we

usually think of with Still Life.usually think of with Still Life.Originally symbolic for the Originally symbolic for the

good, good, sweet thingssweet things in life, in life, abundance, or even sexuality abundance, or even sexuality or sin.or sin.

LIGHTINGLIGHTINGLook at the way the light Look at the way the light

affects how we see the affects how we see the different forms,different forms,–How does How does lightlight affect the affect the textures, reflectionstextures, reflections??

–How does light and shadow How does light and shadow affect the affect the moodmood??

NOTICE THE COMPOSITIONNOTICE THE COMPOSITION

Composition refers to the Composition refers to the arrangement of elements and arrangement of elements and objects around the picture planeobjects around the picture plane. . Your eye travels from one point to Your eye travels from one point to another around the picture in a another around the picture in a clockwise path. clockwise path.

Good composition keeps your eye Good composition keeps your eye moving on an moving on an harmonious pathharmonious path..

The The triangletriangle is a traditionally strong is a traditionally strong composition.composition.

LOOK!LOOK!

CAN YOU FIND THE CAN YOU FIND THE TRIANGLE TRIANGLE COMPOSITION?COMPOSITION?

FIND THE BUG!FIND THE BUG!

INSECTS were often added to a table INSECTS were often added to a table setting. setting.

They symbolized the They symbolized the decadencedecadence of of the “good life”, and warned one of the “good life”, and warned one of the temptations of too much the temptations of too much sweetness (can lead to evil….)sweetness (can lead to evil….)

FIVE SENSESFIVE SENSES

Symbolism became more profoundSymbolism became more profound Objects symbolizing the five senses of Objects symbolizing the five senses of

humans were arranged on a table:humans were arranged on a table:– SightSight– SoundSound– SmellSmell– TouchTouch– TasteTasteObjects were chosen to symbolize pleasure Objects were chosen to symbolize pleasure

VANITASVANITAS

This type of still life was meant to remind the This type of still life was meant to remind the viewer of the fleeting quality of life. Life is viewer of the fleeting quality of life. Life is wonderful, but goes so FAST!wonderful, but goes so FAST!

What do you think each object symbolizes?What do you think each object symbolizes?

VANITAS is about the VANITAS is about the swift approach ofswift approach of DEATH! DEATH!

DON’T FORGET DON’T FORGET ABOUT THE ABOUT THE COMPOSITION!COMPOSITION!

Ways to control eye Ways to control eye movementmovement

Folds of clothFolds of cloth Positioning of objects, bodiesPositioning of objects, bodies Repetition of colorsRepetition of colors Emphasis from either highlights or Emphasis from either highlights or

shadows.shadows. Height of objectsHeight of objects Details, textures, or negative spaceDetails, textures, or negative space EyesEyes

What would a modern What would a modern Vanitas still lifeVanitas still life

contain?contain?

Plan and assemble a Vanitas Plan and assemble a Vanitas Still Life of modern design. Still Life of modern design.

What objects would you use?What objects would you use?