Still Life History and Theory

What Is still life?

Still life is inanimate objects (objects that cannot move).

Examples of still life paintings and photography:

Provide a chronological timeline of still life photography.

Still life has been well known ever since around 1504 when it was first invented by an Italian Early Renaissance painter Jacopo de Barbari, however, it did not officially become it’s own genre until the 17th century this was known as the “golden age” of still life painting. Later on Still life had then been adopted by photographers during the 19th century.

The first still life photograph was taken by a man named Jacques-Louis-Mandé Daguerre.

Analysis of an image using the matrix

Technical: In this image you can see that the photographer has used artificial lighting. They could have used a long aperture as the image is quite sharp and there is a long depth of field, the photo is also equally balanced. There is an equal balance of warm and cool colours and a fair amount of contrast between the different objects and butterflies.

Visual: The image is very bright and has vibrant colours, as well as a range of different shapes and organic forms. All the objects are 3D and not flat, there is also little shadow seen. The objects have been spread out most likely to use up most of the space or to keep the butterflies apart from each other. The objects have also been arranged so that some are more forward and some are more pushed back which gives the image more depth.

Krista van der Niet

What is Vanitas?

Vanitas is a symbolic work of art that shows the transience of life, the futility of pleasure, and the certainty of death, often contrasting symbols of wealth and symbols of ephemerality and death. It also includes other symbols such as musical instruments, wine, and books.

What is Memento Mori?

Memento Mori is artwork that reminds the viewer of the shortness and fragility of life (inevitability), This can be portrayed using symbols such as skulls and extinguished candles, this could also be shown through an hour glass like the image on the right.

What kind of metaphors and symbols are used in still life and why?

Symbols are used to remind viewers of death, the fragility of human life, and the brevity of our existence through objects, as well as presenting a moral message through them. They can also be used to add meaning to photographs.

Below are some symbols used in photography and the meaning behind them:

Fruit: Varying Symbolism In Still Life Paintings