Nancy Friedemann-Sanchez
Still life is a genre in art, otherwise known as a category of subject like landscape or figurative, that depicts human-made or natural objects. At first mention, the term may invoke images of flowers in a vase or an arrangement of fruit, but the broad definition of still life means the genre has seemingly endless possibilities.
Still lifes have endured through centuries of artmaking for many reasons. For one, they allow the artist to use whatever objects that may be accessible to them. Because a still life is just an arrangement of object, virtually anything can be used. They also lend themselves to experimentations in form, color, and compositions. But perhaps most importantly, still lifes can carry complex and symbolic meanings.
Throughout history, the objects found in still lifes have been considered in terms of how they relate to human behaviors and preferences. For example, fruits in Dutch still life paintings, such as oranges or figs, often indicated wealth because they were expensive to import from distant countries and spoiled quickly. Another example are books, which could symbolize an education, intelligence, or an interest in the humanities. Sometimes the kind or title of the book may offer additional clues. A book on the study of birds could mean that the person had an interest in or studied birds.
The clues left by the objects in still lifes present a compelling puzzle for viewers to look, question, and interpret. At the center of all still lifes is the human story behind it, which may be why it is one of the most enduring and dynamic subjects in art.
Exhibition ends July 31, 2027
