Sunday 20 July 2014

About Still Life And Landscape Art

By Coleen Torres


In the hierarchy of genres set up by the Academy, the most important genres are history painting, portraiture and genre painting. Still life and landscape art were considered less important, and still life is on the fifth, while landscape is on the fourth place. Even so, some of the most beautiful paintings ever painted emerged here, for example, Van Gogh's Sunflowers or his extraordinary landscapes made in different techniques.

Although there were some attempts before, still life art first emerged in the sixteenth century. This specific genre feature natural or man-made, inanimate objects. In Tate Museum Glossary, motifs are described as anything that doesn't move or is dead. When it comes to natural objects, there are usually flowers or food, while man-made objects include books, vases and similar things.

Although there is often some level of symbolism involved in this type of paintings, some famous painters, for example Cezanne, simply enjoyed playing with numerous possibilities this type of art allows. He was inspired by different shapes and colors. Arranging objects in space, he was able to express his thoughts and practice his technique.

The first recognized major work of Western still life is Caravaggio's basket of fruits. It was painted in 1596. During the early 1600s, this genre became popular in the Netherlands. These early works were mostly religious and symbolic. Floral motifs were especially prominent. Flowers were appreciated for their grace and fragrance, and paintings immortalized these values.

Other popular motifs were breakfast and banquet pictures, game pictures and vanities. Paintings usually have neutral background, with cool gray and warm tan colors, combined with silver and gold details. Bright colors of a main theme are in the front plan, emphasized by this neutral background. Different reminders of death are often present, for example skulls or watches.

Landscape art, on the other hand, emerged at the same time, but with different motifs. It feature nature, including water, mountains, woods, vegetation, rivers and lakes. Some works are highly realistic, while others are impressionistic or idealized, depending on the period. Predominant is oil, but numerous artists rather use water colors or pastels. You will also find mixed techniques.

Although numerous examples of landscape art can be found all through the history, it became an independent genre in sixteenth century. This genre became more important in later periods. It is still popular today, but contemporary paintings of this type usually feature buildings, roads and similar, modern motifs.

Landscape had more important role in China, of course. In Western art, it was merely used as a background. Dutch and Flemish schools made a great difference in the seventeenth century in Europe. Some prominent artists, for example Vermeer, gave it more important role and it became finally respected and accepted as independent genre, as well as popular.

The nineteenth century is the period when some of the most amazing paintings were made. England and France were the centers, and artists like Turner and Constable changed the picture. In France, several famous painters, for example Renoir and Pissaro, painted some really beautiful landscapes. Sometimes people are also found on their works, but the nature is the prime motif.




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