Still Life Artists By Maddie Lambert

Still Life A still life painting or drawing usually consists of flowers, fruit, bowels, and other such house hold objects. Many artists included an underlying message or sentiment. Still life is a sort of platform for artists to examine the importance everyday objects really hold.

Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin Jean Baptiste Siméon Chardin was born on 2 November 1699 in Paris. He was the son of a carpenter, from whom it is thought he obtained he great sense of diligence and order. He fought to stay away from the prevailing style of Rococo, which he thought pretentious, with its loud forms and showy swirls. Chardin was a member of the prestigious Royal Academy in Paris, but was often criticized for his work, some saying he had no ambition. He stayed true to his style and is now called a master of still life.

Chardin’s Style Chardin choose to paint the everyday objects surrounding him, trying to reveal the pleasure he found from looking at them. In many of his painting Chardin uses a dark backdrop in order to draw attention to the things being painted. Chardin chose the objects he used carefully in order to create a perfect balance of shape, tone, color, and texture. He paints with extreme detail making every painted object look exactly like its original. Chardin’s paintings reflect truth, harmony, and a sense of calm.

My Opinion I really like Chardin’s work and defiantly think these are paintings to be enjoyed. The way he combines color, texture, tone, and shape make his pictures appealing. The way in which Chardin paints makes something as ordinary and ugly as an old coffee pot pleasant to look at. I am a fan of Chardin’s work.

Basket of Wild Strawberries (oil on canvas, 1761)

The Brioche (oil on canvas, 1763)

Glass of Water and Coffee Pot (oil on canvas, 1760)

The Silver Cup (oil on canvas, 1769)

Giorgio Morandi Giorgio Morandi was an Italian painter born in 1890 in the town of Bologna. Because of his reclusive tendencies Morandi was dubbed the "il monaco”, the Monk. He is thought by some to be the greatest painter of 'Natura Morta’ (still life).

Morandi’s Style Morandi was influenced by many classical and modern painters before him and it is reflected in his work. The majority of his painting depict simple objects such as bowls and bottles. His uses very subtle toning. Morandi contemplated the placement of the objects he painted very closely and would sometimes take weeks to decide on a single layout. Through his art, Morandi aims to convey a sense of privacy and tranquility.

My Opinion I do perceive the feeling of tranquility the artist aimed to create. I also receive a sense of being alone from Morandi’s painting. But I do not particularly like how he does not make the lines and edges of the objects definitive or sharp. I do however like the the color palette he uses, which tends be a combination of neutral colors. It is calming.

Natura Morta (still life) (oil on canvas, 1956

Natura Morta (still life) (oil on canvas, 1929)

Still Life with Cups and Boxes (oil on canvas, 1951)

Giorgio Morandi, Still Life 1946,

Comparison I prefer Chandin’s work over Morandi’s. Both artists have produced beautiful, but very different, paintings. I like how Chandin uses strong colors that he balances well. Morandi colors tend to be more bland which I find less appealing. Chandin’s painting are all amazingly realistic which I admire more than Morandi’s rather abstract work. I am a fan of both artists, but prefer Chandin.

Bibliography http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Baptiste-Siméon_Chardin http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/still_life/chardin/chardin.htm http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Giorgio_Morandi http://www.artyfactory.com/art_appreciation/still_life/morandi/giorgio_morandi.htm http://www.visual-arts-cork.com/best-still-life-painters.htm http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/chardin/ http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/morandi.htm http://www.nga.gov/feature/artnation/still_life/images/melendez/figs_bread_380x289.jpg http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/9/90/Fra_Juan_Sánchez_Cotán_001.jpg/250px-Fra_Juan_Sánchez_Cotán_001.jpg