Overview

A beautiful book that argues artists were fascinated by still life painting considerably earlier than previously thought  This eloquent and generously illustrated book asserts that artists were fascinated by and extremely skilled at still life significantly earlier than previously thought. Instead of the genre beginning in the early 17th century, noted scholar David Ekserdjian explores its origins in classical antiquity and the gradual re-emergence of still life in Renaissance painting. The author presents a visual anthology of finely executed flowers, fruit, food, household objects, and furnishings seen in the background of paintings. Paintings are reproduced in full and paired with detailed close-ups of still-life elements within the work. Ekserdjian further examines both the artistic and symbolic significance of a chosen detail, as well as information about each artist’s career. Featured works include radiant paintings from Renaissance greats such as Da Vinci, Dürer, Holbein, Michelangelo, Raphael, and Van Eyck, as well as the work of less-celebrated masters Barthélemy d’Eyck and Ortolano.

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9780300190175

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Reviews

- [A] lovely and enlightening book - Susan Owens, Literary Review

[A] lovely and enlightening book - Susan Owens, Literary Review A beautiful visual anthology of painters from Holbein and Leonardo to Raphael and Van Eyck who delighted in the depiction of things. - Michael Prodger, The Sunday Times (Books of the Year 2018)

[A] lovely and enlightening book - Susan Owens, Literary Review A beautiful visual anthology of painters from Holbein and Leonardo to Raphael and Van Eyck who delighted in the depiction of things. - Michael Prodger, The Sunday Times (Books of the Year 2018)

Author Information

David Ekserdjian is professor of history of art and film, University of Leicester.  

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