Still Life Before Still Life

A beautiful book explores the origins of still life painting in classical antiquity and the re-emergence in Renaissance painting, featuring works by Renaissance greats and less-celebrated masters. It argues that artists were fascinated by still life earlier than previously thought and presents a visual anthology of finely executed flowers, fruit, food, household objects, and furnishings.

Format: Hardback
Length: 256 pages
Publication date: 02 March 2018
Publisher: Yale University Press

This captivating and extensively illustrated book makes a compelling argument that artists were far more intrigued by and adept at still life painting than previously believed. Instead of the genre emerging in the early 17th century, as suggested by noted scholar David Ekserdjian, the author delves into its roots in classical antiquity and the gradual re-emergence of still life in Renaissance painting. The author presents a visual anthology of exquisitely executed flowers, fruits, food, household objects, and furnishings depicted in the background of paintings. Paintings are reproduced in full and accompanied by detailed close-ups of still-life elements within the artwork.

Ekserdjian also explores the artistic and symbolic significance of a selected detail, as well as information about each artist's career. Featured works include radiant paintings by Renaissance giants such as Da Vinci, Dürer, Holbein, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Van Eyck, as well as the work of lesser-known masters Barthélemy dEyck and Ortolano.

This captivating and extensively illustrated book offers a fresh perspective on the artistic development of still life painting, shedding light on its origins and its profound impact on the art world. It is a must-read for art enthusiasts, scholars, and anyone interested in the history and evolution of visual art.

Weight: 1512g
Dimension: 231 x 282 x 54 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9780300190175