Still life

Painting, Ad meliora, Amarildo Ruçi

Ad meliora

Amarildo Ruçi

Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$5,872

Painting, Enamel 3, Graeme Smallfield

Enamel 3

Graeme Smallfield

Painting - 83 x 98 cm Painting - 32.7 x 38.6 inch

$6,540

Print, Pommes rouges, Daneïs

Pommes rouges

Daneïs

Print - 29 x 37 cm Print - 11.4 x 14.6 inch

$112

Painting, Red Telephone, Luiza Maia

Red Telephone

Luiza Maia

Painting - 61 x 50.8 cm Painting - 24 x 20 inch

$2,205

Painting, Boom Box, Luiza Maia

Boom Box

Luiza Maia

Painting - 50.8 x 61 cm Painting - 20 x 24 inch

$2,205

Painting, Globe, Luiza Maia

Globe

Luiza Maia

Painting - 61 x 61 cm Painting - 24 x 24 inch

$2,530

Painting, Peaches in a bowl, Mark Gaskin

Peaches in a bowl

Mark Gaskin

Painting - 76.2 x 76.2 cm Painting - 30 x 30 inch

$6,000

Painting, Fruits 1984 Fruits, Myung JA CHUN

Fruits 1984 Fruits

Myung JA CHUN

Painting - 53 x 45 x 1 cm Painting - 20.9 x 17.7 x 0.4 inch

$3,634

Painting, Coccinelle Ladybird Bouteilles bottles, Gilles Le Corre

Coccinelle Ladybird Bouteilles bottles

Gilles Le Corre

Painting - 74 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 29.1 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$4,416

Painting, Composition à la commode, Nicolaï

Composition à la commode

Nicolaï

Painting - 97 x 130 x 3 cm Painting - 38.2 x 51.2 x 1.2 inch

$4,472

Sculpture, Skull Gold B by NooN, NooN

Skull Gold B by NooN

NooN

Sculpture - 13 x 20 x 13 cm Sculpture - 5.1 x 7.9 x 5.1 inch

$447

Photography, Fleur 8, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur 8

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur 6, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur 6

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur 5, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur 5

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur 4, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur 4

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur III, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur III

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 40 x 30 x 1 cm Photography - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur II, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur II

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Photography, Fleur I, Wang XiaoZhou

Fleur I

Wang XiaoZhou

Photography - 30 x 40 x 1 cm Photography - 11.8 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Painting, Plexus, Galya Popova

Plexus

Galya Popova

Painting - 40 x 30 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 inch

$894

Photography, The Castelloland Installation. 34 digital photographs on brilliant paper,, Paloma Castello

The Castelloland Installation. 34 digital photographs on brilliant paper,

Paloma Castello

Photography - 43.2 x 101.6 x 0.3 cm Photography - 17 x 40 x 0.1 inch

$5,000

Painting, Cedro, Galya Popova

Cedro

Galya Popova

Painting - 40 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$894

Painting, The beginning, Galya Popova

The beginning

Galya Popova

Painting - 60 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

$2,180

Painting, Matcha tea, Galya Popova

Matcha tea

Galya Popova

Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,509

Painting, Mimosa, Galya Popova

Mimosa

Galya Popova

Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,845

Painting, Choice who to be..., Tetiana Kalivoshko

Choice who to be...

Tetiana Kalivoshko

Painting - 76.2 x 101.6 x 5.1 cm Painting - 30 x 40 x 2 inch

$5,500

Painting, Nature morte à la poire couchée, Stephanie Larène

Nature morte à la poire couchée

Stephanie Larène

Painting - 47 x 38 x 1 cm Painting - 18.5 x 15 x 0.4 inch

$503

Painting, Nature morte jaune et rose aux poires tordues, Stephanie Larène

Nature morte jaune et rose aux poires tordues

Stephanie Larène

Painting - 46 x 40 x 1 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Painting, Fruits plein cadre, Stephanie Larène

Fruits plein cadre

Stephanie Larène

Painting - 50 x 65 x 1 cm Painting - 19.7 x 25.6 x 0.4 inch

$436

Painting, Etude with a blue book, Galya Popova

Etude with a blue book

Galya Popova

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,006

Painting, Flower shop, Galya Popova

Flower shop

Galya Popova

Painting - 60 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 23.6 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,677

Painting, Four figs, Galya Popova

Four figs

Galya Popova

Painting - 50 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$1,509

Print, Nature morte aux iris, Tony Agostini

Nature morte aux iris

Tony Agostini

Print - 75 x 55 x 0.05 cm Print - 29.5 x 21.7 x 0 inch

$168

Print, L'oiseau, Tony Agostini

L'oiseau

Tony Agostini

Print - 71.5 x 49 x 0.05 cm Print - 28.1 x 19.3 x 0 inch

$168

Painting, The story of the lemon with pepper, Eva Hoffmann

The story of the lemon with pepper

Eva Hoffmann

Painting - 12.7 x 12.7 x 2.5 cm Painting - 5 x 5 x 1 inch

$500

Painting, May I butt in?, Carol Steinberg

May I butt in?

Carol Steinberg

Painting - 22.9 x 30.5 x 0.3 cm Painting - 9 x 12 x 0.1 inch

$460

Painting, Beer, Helen She

Beer

Helen She

Painting - 70 x 50 x 4 cm Painting - 27.6 x 19.7 x 1.6 inch

$4,472

Painting, Kitchen Secrets, Amy Nelder

Kitchen Secrets

Amy Nelder

Painting - 76.2 x 121.9 x 3.8 cm Painting - 30 x 48 x 1.5 inch

$15,000

Print, Floraison 3, Gauthier Bruel

Floraison 3

Gauthier Bruel

Print - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

$157

Print, Floraison 2, Gauthier Bruel

Floraison 2

Gauthier Bruel

Print - 40 x 30 x 0.3 cm Print - 15.7 x 11.8 x 0.1 inch

$157

Painting, Cerulean Sea, Melinda Patrick

Cerulean Sea

Melinda Patrick

Painting - 25.4 x 25.4 x 3.8 cm Painting - 10 x 10 x 1.5 inch

$265

Painting, Screened Porch, Melinda Patrick

Screened Porch

Melinda Patrick

Painting - 35.6 x 27.9 x 2.5 cm Painting - 14 x 11 x 1 inch

$365

Painting, Le bouquet de maman !, Noël Granger

Le bouquet de maman !

Noël Granger

Painting - 70 x 70 x 2 cm Painting - 27.6 x 27.6 x 0.8 inch

$1,006

Painting, Candy and Margaritas, Amy Nelder

Candy and Margaritas

Amy Nelder

Painting - 61 x 121.9 cm Painting - 24 x 48 inch

$12,500

Sculpture, A vase of flowers, Sunyoung Park

A vase of flowers

Sunyoung Park

Sculpture - 90 x 120 x 5 cm Sculpture - 35.4 x 47.2 x 2 inch

$5,814

Painting, Valise de Dégustation, Patopalomo

Valise de Dégustation

Patopalomo

Painting - 65 x 75 x 50 cm Painting - 25.6 x 29.5 x 19.7 inch

$3,578

Painting, Fertility and Resurrection #2, Amy Nelder

Fertility and Resurrection #2

Amy Nelder

Painting - 40.6 x 50.8 cm Painting - 16 x 20 inch

$5,500

Painting, Snacktime, Amy Nelder

Snacktime

Amy Nelder

Painting - 61 x 152.4 cm Painting - 24 x 60 inch

$12,000

Painting, La collégiale, Kalus

La collégiale

Kalus

Painting - 24 x 33 x 2 cm Painting - 9.4 x 13 x 0.8 inch

$168

Painting, Provence, Franck Mugnie

Provence

Franck Mugnie

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$280

Painting, Ciel ouvert, Franck Mugnie

Ciel ouvert

Franck Mugnie

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$280

Painting, La rivière gelée, Franck Mugnie

La rivière gelée

Franck Mugnie

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$335

Painting, Paysage au ciel rouge, Brigitte Thonhauser-Merk

Paysage au ciel rouge

Brigitte Thonhauser-Merk

Painting - 46 x 38 x 2 cm Painting - 18.1 x 15 x 0.8 inch

$280

Painting, Paysage, Anton

Paysage

Anton

Painting - 40 x 40 x 2 cm Painting - 15.7 x 15.7 x 0.8 inch

$280

Print, Fauna #III, Alexis Gorodine

Fauna #III

Alexis Gorodine

Print - 37.5 x 35.5 cm Print - 14.8 x 14 inch

$168

Print, Sunday mood #263, Céline Pierzchala

Sunday mood #263

Céline Pierzchala

Print - 60 x 60 x 0.1 cm Print - 23.6 x 23.6 x 0 inch

$151

Painting, Le mol oreiller du doute, Marie Rauzy

Le mol oreiller du doute

Marie Rauzy

Painting - 120 x 80 x 3 cm Painting - 47.2 x 31.5 x 1.2 inch

$7,826

Sculpture, Crane 157-20, Philippe Buil

Crane 157-20

Philippe Buil

Sculpture - 14 x 10 x 12 cm Sculpture - 5.5 x 3.9 x 4.7 inch

$1,062

Fine Art Drawings, Fleurs, Innocenti

Fleurs

Innocenti

Fine Art Drawings - 20.5 x 14 x 0.2 cm Fine Art Drawings - 8.1 x 5.5 x 0.1 inch

$432

Painting, Huître à la perle, Charlie Feraud

Huître à la perle

Charlie Feraud

Painting - 20 x 20 x 0.1 cm Painting - 7.9 x 7.9 x 0 inch

$503

Painting, The porcelain cup - Italian painting still life, Andrea Borella

The porcelain cup - Italian painting still life

Andrea Borella

Painting - 45 x 49 x 1 cm Painting - 17.7 x 19.3 x 0.4 inch

$503

Print, Amics, Jean-Philippe Henric

Amics

Jean-Philippe Henric

Print - 80 x 60 x 3 cm Print - 31.5 x 23.6 x 1.2 inch

$334

Print, Le crayon rose, Annapia Antonini

Le crayon rose

Annapia Antonini

Print - 55 x 39 cm Print - 21.7 x 15.4 inch

$280

Print, Semprevivi, Annapia Antonini

Semprevivi

Annapia Antonini

Print - 38 x 55 cm Print - 15 x 21.7 inch

$280

Print, Il canoletto, Annapia Antonini

Il canoletto

Annapia Antonini

Print - 50 x 53 cm Print - 19.7 x 20.9 inch

$280

Photography, Donald, Françoise Lapierre

Donald

Françoise Lapierre

Photography - 20 x 30 cm Photography - 7.9 x 11.8 inch

$246

Photography, Le masque africain, Françoise Lapierre

Le masque africain

Françoise Lapierre

Photography - 30 x 20 cm Photography - 11.8 x 7.9 inch

$246

Photography, Colt 1851, Lionel le Jeune

Colt 1851

Lionel le Jeune

Photography - 82.3 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography - 32.4 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

$839

Photography, Colt 1851, Lionel le Jeune

Colt 1851

Lionel le Jeune

Photography - 80 x 60 x 0.5 cm Photography - 31.5 x 23.6 x 0.2 inch

$839

Painting, Black dress, Ewa Bathelier

Black dress

Ewa Bathelier

Painting - 200 x 195 x 2 cm Painting - 78.7 x 76.8 x 0.8 inch

$11,180

Photography, Dieu créa l'homme à son image..., Lionel le Jeune

Dieu créa l'homme à son image...

Lionel le Jeune

Photography - 50 x 50 x 0.5 cm Photography - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.2 inch

$615

Painting, Efimeros, Josep Garcia Marsal

Efimeros

Josep Garcia Marsal

Painting - 100 x 81 x 3 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1.2 inch

$5,590

Sculpture, Skull Platinum B Porcelain, NooN

Skull Platinum B Porcelain

NooN

Sculpture - 13 x 20 x 13 cm Sculpture - 5.1 x 7.9 x 5.1 inch

$447

Painting, Thé de feu, Minasmoke

Thé de feu

Minasmoke

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$168

Painting, Grande passion, Minasmoke

Grande passion

Minasmoke

Painting - 30 x 30 x 2 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.8 inch

$168

Painting, Prosperité, Minasmoke

Prosperité

Minasmoke

Painting - 50 x 50 x 2 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.8 inch

$335

Painting, Le songe, Minasmoke

Le songe

Minasmoke

Painting - 50 x 50 x 1.5 cm Painting - 19.7 x 19.7 x 0.6 inch

$335

Painting, L'attente, Minasmoke

L'attente

Minasmoke

Painting - 30 x 30 x 1.5 cm Painting - 11.8 x 11.8 x 0.6 inch

$168

Painting, Ceramica #90, Elisabeth Serre

Ceramica #90

Elisabeth Serre

Painting - 100 x 81 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1 inch

$2,012

Painting, Still life, Stanislav Bojankov

Still life

Stanislav Bojankov

Painting - 78 x 58 x 2 cm Painting - 30.7 x 22.8 x 0.8 inch

$1,677

Painting, Ambiance parisienne, Linda Moufadil

Ambiance parisienne

Linda Moufadil

Painting - 27 x 35 x 2 cm Painting - 10.6 x 13.8 x 0.8 inch

$503

Painting, Ceramica #77, Elisabeth Serre

Ceramica #77

Elisabeth Serre

Painting - 100 x 81 x 2.5 cm Painting - 39.4 x 31.9 x 1 inch

$2,012

Painting, Oiseau carré aux fruits en bleu et jaune, Stephanie Larène

Oiseau carré aux fruits en bleu et jaune

Stephanie Larène

Painting - 65 x 50 x 1 cm Painting - 25.6 x 19.7 x 0.4 inch

$503

Print, Don't eat this banana, Led Mansion

Don't eat this banana

Led Mansion

Print - 60 x 40 x 2.5 cm Print - 23.6 x 15.7 x 1 inch

$280

Painting, Meltace, Stefano Mazzolini

Meltace

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 106 x 106 x 1 cm Painting - 41.7 x 41.7 x 0.4 inch

$3,354 $2,683

Painting, Bluville, Stefano Mazzolini

Bluville

Stefano Mazzolini

Painting - 131 x 130 x 1 cm Painting - 51.6 x 51.2 x 0.4 inch

$3,354 $2,683

Painting, 99 bottles of beer on the wall, John Kilduff

99 bottles of beer on the wall

John Kilduff

Painting - 182.9 x 152.4 x 3.8 cm Painting - 72 x 60 x 1.5 inch

$10,600

Painting, He loves me, he loves me not, Ala Ilescu

He loves me, he loves me not

Ala Ilescu

Painting - 50.8 x 40.6 x 2 cm Painting - 20 x 16 x 0.8 inch

$3,346

Painting, Poltrona n° 160222, Bonaschi

Poltrona n° 160222

Bonaschi

Painting - 58 x 42 cm Painting - 22.8 x 16.5 inch

$280

Painting, LOVE LOVE 1987 Floride Florida, Peter Stilton

LOVE LOVE 1987 Floride Florida

Peter Stilton

Painting - 16 x 13 x 1 cm Painting - 6.3 x 5.1 x 0.4 inch

$553

Painting, Hellebore No. 1, Elizabeth Becker

Hellebore No. 1

Elizabeth Becker

Painting - 30.5 x 22.9 cm Painting - 12 x 9 inch

$200

Photography, Serie Anna. Moscow, Stanley  Greene

Serie Anna. Moscow

Stanley Greene

Photography - 10.8 x 8.9 x 1 cm Photography - 4.3 x 3.5 x 0.4 inch

$10,062

Photography, Serie Anna. Moscow, Stanley  Greene

Serie Anna. Moscow

Stanley Greene

Photography - 10.8 x 8.9 x 1 cm Photography - 4.3 x 3.5 x 0.4 inch

$10,062

Fine Art Drawings, Cuina amb finestra i porta en groc i verd, Montse Roldos

Cuina amb finestra i porta en groc i verd

Montse Roldos

Fine Art Drawings - 37 x 53 x 0.3 cm Fine Art Drawings - 14.6 x 20.9 x 0.1 inch

$307

Still life

Although at its heart a classic subject, the still life was the preferred approach of Cézanne, the artist who paved the way for art to enter its most modern phase. From Cubism to Hyperrealism via Pop art, sculpture, and photography, almost all art forms have been at some point shown that it is still possible to breathe new life into this age old theme.


Be it completely de-structured, funny, classic, or minimalist, the contemporary still life is far from old fashioned, despite the fact that it boasts a long, celebrated history.


Let's take a closer look at this theme that recurs so often across art history… even in antiquity, Pliny had already written about a painter called Piraikos, known for his paintings of 'provisions for cooking', and the optical illusions of Zeuxis, from which it was said that birds would try to pick off the raisins because they looked so real. The conventional still life as we know it today, however, dates back to the 17th century, where it developed in Holland under strict aesthetic codes.


Generally, oils on canvas were the preferred method for representing inanimate objects of varying types (lots of fruit, fish, game…) and flowers. The colours were muted, the background a monochromic black, the atmosphere heavy, and the light at a steep diagonal angle. There were few elements but they were precisely arranged and loaded with religious symbolism.


Even though still life was never considered a genre in its own right, almost all of the great masters have tried their hand at it at some point or other. Across the 19th century, all the art movements went through a still life phase: romanticism, impressionism, symbolism… and under the brushes of Degas, Cézanne, Monet, etc., still life evolved.


Little by little, artists added colours, erased the biblical references and replaced them with everyday objects in ever greater numbers: cooking utensils, cups of coffee, gas lamps, musical instruments…


In the 20th century, modern art once more dusted off this 'boring' subject, and began to play with its strict codes. From cubism to pop art to surrealism, all of the artistic movements made their mark on still life. Bit by bit, they took it to pieces and rebuilt it, moving ever closer to the contemporary still life, which has little to do with the original genre except for its central theme.


After his separation from Olga Khokhlova in 1936, Pablo Picasso painted 'Still Life Under a Lamp' whose plastic elements suggested themes that would later be developed in his famous 'Guernica' the following year. Pale lamplight dominates the triangular composition in the centre of the canvas and the arms of the antique sculpture appear to be on the verge of falling off the table. Although the piece altogether seems to move away from the classic still life, it maintains the traditional heavy atmosphere.  


In 1956 the Catalan surrealist painter Salvador Dali painted 'Living Still Life' in his typical humorous style. The canvas – divided in two to represent night and day – shows a table on a balcony. The elements (wine, water, a pear, a knife…) are in motion, or rather levitating, as though someone has just struck the tabletop.


Artsper invites you to explore a range of contemporary still life pieces that are both traditional and surprising in our unique selection. Discover the work of Syvie Andlauer Baruch, Gonzalo Sicre, Zbigniew Wozniak, and many more… 

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