The document provides background information on Baroque still life paintings. It discusses that Baroque works were produced in the 17th-18th centuries and originated in Italy. Still life paintings were popular in Dutch society and often had symbolic meanings teaching moral lessons. Characteristics of Baroque still life included use of chiaroscuro, extreme detail, and dynamic lighting. Common subjects were hunting scenes, fruit, and compositions representing the five senses. Later vanitas still life was meant to remind viewers of the fleeting nature of life and inevitability of death.

1. The Noble Stillness
Baroque Still Life Painting
Professor Will Adams
Valencia College

2. Baroque Background

3. Baroque Background
 Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries.

4. Baroque Background
 Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries.
 The term Baroque comes from the Portuguese word “barocca”, which means
“an irregular pearl”.

5. Baroque Background
 Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries.
 The term Baroque comes from the Portuguese word “barocca”, which means
“an irregular pearl”.
 The first Baroque works appeared in Italy and the style spread north into
Europe.

6. Baroque Background
 Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries.
 The term Baroque comes from the Portuguese word “barocca”, which means
“an irregular pearl”.
 The first Baroque works appeared in Italy and the style spread north into
Europe.
 Baroque still-life was hugely popular in the Netherlands and Flemish society.

7. Baroque Background
 Baroque works were produced during the 17th and 18th centuries.
 The term Baroque comes from the Portuguese word “barocca”, which means
“an irregular pearl”.
 The first Baroque works appeared in Italy and the style spread north into
Europe.
 Baroque still-life was hugely popular in the Netherlands and Flemish society.
 Still-life had symbolic meanings that people at the time understood, which
usually taught moral lessons.

8. Characteristics of Baroque Painting

9. Characteristics of Baroque Painting
 Chiaroscuro

10. Characteristics of Baroque Painting
 Chiaroscuro
 Painting from life

11. Characteristics of Baroque Painting
 Chiaroscuro
 Painting from life
 Extreme detail

12. Characteristics of Baroque Painting
 Chiaroscuro
 Painting from life
 Extreme detail
 Dynamic arrangement and
lighting

13. Characteristics of Baroque Painting
 Chiaroscuro
 Painting from life
 Extreme detail
 Dynamic arrangement and
lighting
 Rich colors

14. Famous Early Italian Baroque Paintings
Caravaggio’s “The Conversion of Saul”, c. Artemisia Gentellischi’s “Judith
1600 Beheading Holofernes”, 1614-1620

15. Hunting Imagery

16. Hunting Imagery
 Dead animals from a hunt were a
popular subject.

17. Hunting Imagery
 Dead animals from a hunt were a
popular subject.
 They are a great way to show off
technique

18. Hunting Imagery
 Dead animals from a hunt were a
popular subject.
 They are a great way to show off
technique
 Be sure to look for:
• Textures like feathers, tassels, velvet, etc.
• Strong composition
• Realism
• Hidden details
• Chiaroscuro lighting effects

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

20. The Symbolism of Fruit

21. The Symbolism of Fruit
 Traditionally, this is what
we usually think of when
we hear “still-life”.

22. The Symbolism of Fruit
 Traditionally, this is what
we usually think of when
we hear “still-life”.
 Originally fruit was
symbolic of the good, sweet
things in life, abundance,
sexuality, or even sin.

23. Examples of Fruit Still-Life
Caravaggio’s “Still-Life with Willem van Aelst’s “Still-Life with
Fruit”, 1601-1605 Fruit & Crystal Vase”, 1652

24. Baroque Lighting Effects

25. Baroque Lighting Effects
 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.

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

27. Notice The Composition

28. Notice The Composition
 Composition is the arrangement of elements and objects
around the picture plane.

29. Notice The Composition
 Composition is the arrangement of elements and objects
around the picture plane.
 Your eye travels from one point to another around the
picture in a clockwise path.

30. Notice The Composition
 Composition is the arrangement of elements and objects
around the picture plane.
 Your eye travels from one point to another around the
picture in a clockwise path.
 Good composition keeps your eye moving on a harmonious
path.

31. Notice The Composition
 Composition is the arrangement of elements and objects
around the picture plane.
 Your eye travels from one point to another around the
picture in a clockwise path.
 Good composition keeps your eye moving on a harmonious
path.
 The triangle is a traditionally strong compositional path.

32. Look Closely!

33. Look Closely!
Let’s play a round of:

38. Find The Bug!

39. Find The Bug!
 Insects were often added to a table setting within the
still-life’s composition.

40. Find The Bug!
 Insects were often added to a table setting within the
still-life’s composition.
 They symbolized the decadence of the “good life”

41. Find The Bug!
 Insects were often added to a table setting within the
still-life’s composition.
 They symbolized the decadence of the “good life”
 They also warned the viewer of the temptations of too much
sweetness

42. Find The Bug!
 Insects were often added to a table setting within the
still-life’s composition.
 They symbolized the decadence of the “good life”
 They also warned the viewer of the temptations of too much
sweetness
 In essence, they represent having “Too much of a good thing”

43. The Five Senses

44. The Five Senses
 As still-life became more
popular and began to evolve,
its symbolism became more
profound.

45. The Five Senses
 As still-life became more • Sound
popular and began to evolve, • Smell
its symbolism became more
• Touch
profound.
• Taste
 Objects symbolizing the five
human senses were arranged on
a table:
• Sight

46. The Five Senses
 As still-life became more • Sound
popular and began to evolve, • Smell
its symbolism became more
• Touch
profound.
• Taste
 Objects symbolizing the five
human senses were arranged on  Objects were als0 chosen
a table: to symbolize pleasure.
• Sight

62. Don’t Forget About The Composition!

64. Ways To Control Eye Movement
 Folds of cloth
 Positioning of objects, bodies
 Repetition of colors
 Emphasis from either highlights or shadows
 Height of objects
 Details, textures, or negative space
 Eyes or gazes

80. Vanitas Still Life
 This type of still life was meant to remind the
viewer of the fleeting quality of life.
 Life is wonderful, but goes by very quickly!?
 Vanitas is about the swift approach of DEATH!

92. 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

93. Modern Vanitas Still Life
Audrey Flack’s “Marilyn (Vanitas)”,
Audrey Flack’s “Queen”, 1975 - 1976
1977

94. Einde