Still lifes of famous artists in oils of the Renaissance. Feast of Abundance

Still life with fruit and dishes

The artist Willem van Aelst was born in May 1627 in the city of Utrecht or Delft.

Willem van Aelst studied the basics of painting with his uncle, the famous artist Evert van Aelst. In November 1643, the young artist was admitted to the Delft Guild of Artists of St. Luke.

For four years, from 1845 to 1649, the artist lived and worked in France, and then for another seven years in Italy. In Florence, Willem van Aalst completed quite a lot of work commissioned by the Grand Duke of Tuscany, Ferdinand II de' Medici.

After returning to his homeland, the artist settled in Amsterdam, set up a studio and accepted students, among whom today we can remember Rachel Ruysch and Maria van Oosterwijk.

Willem van Aalst was recognized during his lifetime outstanding master still life artist, who had an excellent command of color and was particularly successful in painting fabrics, bird feathers, metals, etc. Exquisite blue velvet is often found in his still lifes. The artist uses insanely expensive lapis lazuli pigment. This ingredient was imported from distant China and its use significantly increased the cost of the author’s paintings. But how he plays Blue colour in still lifes.

The painter died in 1683. Buried in Amsterdam.

Nowadays, the works of the great artist can be seen in largest museums And art galleries peace.

Paintings by artist Willem van Aelst

At the end of the Renaissance in northern Europe, still life from a decorative genre turned into a philosophical statement in paint

XVI-XVIII centuries - Golden time in the history of European still life. In those years there were two main art schools, specializing in the depiction of flowers, fruits and objects - Flemish and Dutch - which were followed by masters from other countries. Despite the fact that Flanders (Belgium) and Holland were neighboring states, their painters put different meanings into depicting “dead nature” (as still life was called in Flanders), or “ quiet life"(that's what they called it in the Netherlands).

the main objective Dutch masters— to express the idea of ​​“vanity of vanities,” the frailty of all things, the nearness of death. These topics most worried Protestant theologians. Therefore, in still lifes Dutch artists we often encounter a skull, a blown out candle, a stopped clock. All this is framed by poppies - symbols of eternal sleep, daffodils - symbols of the transience of life, violets - symbols of the fragility of beauty, etc.

In Flanders it was the other way around. Unlike the Protestant Netherlands, Belgium was experiencing a Catholic revival, and the task worthy of an artist was not the denial, but the affirmation and glorification of Divine creation. As the German mystic Paracelsus said: “In words, plants and stones, God is everywhere.” Therefore, the Flemish still life is a celebration of life, a triumph of perfect nature. Frans Snyders, a colleague and comrade of Rubens, is considered a virtuoso of this genre. In 1618-1621, he painted four canvases under the general title “Shops”: “Fish Shop”, “Game Shop” (killed poultry), “Vegetable Shop” and “Fruit Shop”, which are now kept in the Hermitage. According to Olga Prokhorova, an employee of the museum, candidate of art history, this is an encyclopedia of Flemish still life with its main allegorical themes - “Seasons”, “Five Senses” (taste, hearing, smell, touch, vision) and “Four Elements” (air, water, fire , Earth). The “Fruit Shop” is the richest in symbols. "Around the World" deciphers them.

Shopkeeper and lady According to Olga Prokhorova, their figures represent peaceful life (in other paintings of the cycle, this role is played by a plowing peasant and a pier).
(1)Hand with apricot Symbolizes the sense of touch.
Apricot A symbol of self-sufficiency (it is a self-pollinating tree).
(2) Libra “Like any forged object,” says Olga Prokhorova, “they symbolize fire (while fish symbolizes water, a beaten bird symbolizes air, and roots symbolize earth).”
(3) Fig Symbol of generosity (it gives very abundant fruit).
(4) Barking dog “A symbol of hearing (the ear perceives barking), says Olga Prokhorova. “In other paintings by Snyders we also see symbols of taste (meat, fish) and smell (a dog sniffing game).”
(5) Monkey Symbolizes taste.
(6) Pine (Italian pine) cones. A symbol of hope for happiness in eternity (pine is an evergreen tree).
(7) Asparagus Symbol of peacefulness (in the Middle Ages it was used as a sedative).
(8) Squirrel Symbol of the hard work required to grow this abundance.
(9) Artichoke Symbol earthly love(it was believed that it helps to get pregnant).

Fruits Symbolize summer (herbs were symbols of spring, game were symbols of autumn, and fish were symbols of winter; they are depicted in the other three paintings from Snyders’s cycle).
(10) Lemon Symbol of fidelity and love (it bears fruit throughout the year).
(11) Pomegranate Symbol of the Universal Church (it unites as many people as there are many grains in pomegranate fruits).
(12) Orange A symbol of purity and innocence (its white flowers often adorn the Virgin Mary).
(13) Blackberry Symbol of the purity of the Virgin Mary. “It is believed,” says Olga Prokhorova, “that the Burning Bush, which appeared to Moses and acts as a prototype of the motherhood and virginity of the Virgin Mary, was a blackberry. Therefore, they said about the Mother of God: “She gave birth to the flame Divine love without being burned with lust."
(14) Raspberry A symbol of kindness (St. Martin fed the poor with raspberries).
(15) Apple A symbol of salvation and redemption (in this capacity it was often depicted in the Middle Ages in the hands of the baby Jesus).
(16) Grapes Symbol of Christ (“I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser,” John 15:1).
(17) Cherry Symbol of the blood of Jesus.
(18) Plum Was considered a symbol of fidelity, but took on additional meanings depending on the color. The dark purple plum indicates the suffering and death of Christ, the yellow one indicates the purity of Jesus, the red one represents his mercy, and the white one speaks of his humility.
(19) Cherry Symbol of heavenly grace.
(20) Pumpkin A symbol of resurrection and salvation (according to the Bible, the pumpkin grew by the will of God to give shade to the prophet Jonah).
(21) Pear Symbol of the sweetness of virtue.
(22) Peach Symbol of the Trinity (it consists of three parts: the fruit, the stone and the kernel of the stone).

Still life in painting is an image of static inanimate objects combined into a single ensemble. A still life can be presented as an independent painting, but sometimes it becomes part of the composition of a genre scene or an entire painting.

What is still life?

Such painting is expressed in a person’s subjective attitude to the world. This shows the master's inherent understanding of beauty, which becomes the embodiment public values and the aesthetic ideal of the time. Still life in painting gradually transformed into a separate significant genre. This process took hundreds of years, and each new generation of artists understood canvases and color according to the trends of the era.

The role of still life in the composition of a painting is never limited to simple information, a random addition to the main content. Depending on historical conditions and social demands, objects can take a more or less active part in creating a composition or an individual image, obscuring one or another goal. Still life in painting as an independent genre is designed to reliably convey the beauty of things that surround a person every day.

Sometimes a separate detail or element suddenly acquires deep meaning, receives its own meaning and sound.

Story

As an old and revered genre, still life painting has seen its ups and downs. Severe, ascetic and minimalist helped create immortal, monumental, generalized, sublimely heroic images. Sculptors enjoyed depicting individual objects with extraordinary expressiveness. Types of still life in painting and all sorts of classifications arose during the formation of art criticism, although canvases existed long before the first textbook was written.

Iconographic traditions and still lifes

In ancient Russian icon painting big role played those few things that the artist dared to introduce into the strict laconicism of his canonical works. They contribute to the manifestation of everything immediate and demonstrate the expression of feelings in work devoted to an abstract or mythological subject.

Types of still life in painting exist separately from icon paintings, although the strict canon does not prohibit the depiction of some objects inherent in the genre.

Renaissance still life

However, works of the 15th-16th centuries play a major role during the Renaissance. The painter first drew attention to the world around him and sought to determine the meaning of each element in the service of humanity.

Modern painting and still life as a popular and beloved genre originated in the Tricento period. Everyday objects acquired a certain nobility and significance of the owner whom they served. On large canvases, a still life, as a rule, looks very modest and discreet - a glass jar of water, silver in an elegant vase or delicate lilies on thin stems often huddled in a dark corner of the picture, like poor and forgotten relatives.

Nevertheless, in the image of beautiful and close things there was so much love in poetic form that modern painting, the still life and its role in it were already timidly visible through the gaps in the landscapes and the heavy curtains of the genre scenes.

Crucial moment

Subjects gained a real element in paintings and new meaning in the 17th century - an era when still life with flowers was prevalent and dominant. Paintings of this kind gained numerous fans among the nobility and clergy. In complex compositions with pronounced literary storyline scenes got their place along with the main characters. Analyzing the works of the era, it is easy to notice that the important role of still life was similarly manifested in literature, theater and sculpture. Things began to “act” and “live” in these works - they were shown as the main characters, demonstrating the best and most advantageous aspects of objects.

Objects of art made by hardworking and talented craftsmen bear the personal imprint of the thoughts, desires, and inclinations of a particular person. painting is the best psychological tests help to track the psycho-emotional state and achieve internal harmony and integrity.

Things faithfully serve a person, taking over his delight in everyday objects and inspiring their owners to acquire new beautiful, elegant little things.

Flemish Renaissance

People did not immediately accept gouache painting and still life as a genre. The history of the emergence, development and widespread implementation of various ideas and principles serves as a reminder of the constant development of thought. Still life became famous and fashionable in the mid-17th century. The genre began in the Netherlands, bright and festive Flanders, where nature itself invites beauty and fun.

Gouache painting and still life flourished in a time of tremendous change, a complete change in political, social and religious institutions.

Flanders Current

The bourgeois direction of development in Flanders became a novelty and progress for the whole of Europe. Changes in political life led to similar innovations in culture - the horizons that opened up for artists were no longer limited by religious prohibitions and were not supported by relevant traditions.

Still life became the flagship of a new art that glorified everything natural, bright and beautiful. Strict canons Catholicism was no longer restrained by the flight of imagination and curiosity of painters, and therefore, along with art, science and technology began to develop.

Ordinary everyday things and objects, previously considered base and unworthy of mention, suddenly rose to the level of objects of close study. Decorative painting, still life and landscapes have become a real mirror of life - everyday routine, diet, culture, ideas about beauty.

Genre properties

It was from here, from a conscious, in-depth study of the surrounding world, that a separate genre developed household painting, landscape, still life.

Art, which acquired certain canons in the 17th century, determined the main quality of the genre. A painting dedicated to the world of things describes the basic properties inherent in the objects that surround a person, shows the attitude of the master and his hypothetical contemporary to what is shown, expresses the nature and completeness of knowledge about reality. The artist necessarily conveyed the material existence of things, their volume, weight, textures, colors, the functional purpose of household items and their vital connection with human activity.

Tasks and problems of still life

Decorative painting, still life and everyday scenes absorbed the new trends of the era - a departure from the canons and at the same time maintaining the conservative naturalism of the image.

Still life of the revolutionary era during the complete victory of the bourgeoisie reflects the artist’s respect for the new forms of national life of his compatriots, respect for the work of ordinary artisans, admiration for beautiful images beauty.

The problems and tasks of the genre as a whole, formulated in the 17th century, were not discussed in European schools until the middle of the 19th century. Meanwhile, artists constantly set themselves new and new tasks, and did not continue to mechanically reproduce ready-made compositional solutions and color schemes.

Modern canvases

Photos of still lifes for painting, prepared in modern studios, clearly demonstrate the difference between the perception of the world by a contemporary and a person of the Middle Ages. The dynamics of objects today exceeds all conceivable limits, and the static nature of objects was the norm for that time. The color combinations of the 17th century are distinguished by their brightness and purity of color. Rich shades fit harmoniously into the composition and emphasize the artist’s intentions and ideas. The absence of any canons in the best possible way influenced still lifes of the 20th and 21st centuries, sometimes striking the imagination with their ugliness or deliberate variegation.

Methods for solving still life problems change rapidly every decade; methods and techniques do not keep up with the imagination of recognized and not so recognized masters.

The value of today's paintings lies in the expression of reality through the eyes of contemporary artists; through embodiment on canvas, new worlds arise that will be able to tell a lot about their creators to the people of the future.

Impressionist influence

The next milestone in the history of still lifes was impressionism. The entire evolution of the direction was reflected in the compositions through colors, technique and understanding of space. The last romantics of the millennium transferred life as it is to canvas - fast, bright touches and expressive details became the cornerstones of the style.

Painting, still lifes contemporary artists certainly bear the imprint of their impressionist inspirations through color, methods and techniques of depiction.

A departure from the standard canons of classicism - three plans, a central composition and historical heroes- allowed artists to develop their own perception of color and light, as well as to clearly and clearly demonstrate the free flight of emotions to the audience.

The main tasks of the impressionists are to change the painting technique and the psychological content of the picture. And today, even knowing the situation of that era, it is difficult to find the correct answer to the question of why impressionist landscapes, as joyful and ingenuous as poetry, evoked sharp rejection and rude ridicule from picky critics and the enlightened public.

Impressionist painting did not fit into the generally accepted framework, so still lifes and landscapes were perceived as something vulgar, unworthy of recognition along with other waste of high art.

An art exhibition that has become unique missionary activity For famous artists of that time, was able to reach hearts and demonstrate beauty and grace. Images of objects and objects by all available means have become commonplace even within the walls of formidable institutions that profess only principles classical art. The triumphal procession of still life paintings has not stopped since the end of the 19th century, and the variety of genres and techniques today allows one not to be afraid of any experiments with color, textures and materials.

Renaissance (Renaissance). Italy. XV-XVI centuries. Early capitalism. The country is ruled by rich bankers. They are interested in art and science.

The rich and powerful gather around them the talented and wise. Poets, philosophers, artists and sculptors have daily conversations with their patrons. At some point, it seemed that people were ruled by wise men, as Plato wanted.

We remembered the ancient Romans and Greeks. They also built society free citizens, Where main value- a person (not counting slaves, of course).

Renaissance is not just copying the art of ancient civilizations. This is a mixture. Mythology and Christianity. Realism of nature and sincerity of images. Physical and spiritual beauty.

It was just a flash. Period High Renaissance– that’s about 30 years! From the 1490s to 1527 From the beginning of the heyday of Leonardo's creativity. Before the sack of Rome.

The mirage of an ideal world quickly faded. Italy turned out to be too fragile. She was soon enslaved by another dictator.

However, these 30 years have determined the main features European painting 500 years ahead! Up to .

Realism of the image. Anthropocentrism (when the center of the world is Man). Linear perspective. Oil paints. Portrait. Scenery…

Incredibly, in these 30 years they created several brilliant masters. At other times they are born once every 1000 years.

Leonardo, Michelangelo, Raphael and Titian are the titans of the Renaissance. But we cannot fail to mention their two predecessors: Giotto and Masaccio. Without which there would be no Renaissance.

1. Giotto (1267-1337)

XIV century. Proto-Renaissance. Its main character is Giotto. This is a master who single-handedly revolutionized art. 200 years before the High Renaissance. If it were not for him, the era of which humanity is so proud would hardly have come.

Before Giotto there were icons and frescoes. They were created according to Byzantine canons. Faces instead of faces. Flat figures. Failure to comply with proportions. Instead of a landscape there is a golden background. Like, for example, on this icon.

And suddenly frescoes by Giotto appear. On them volumetric figures. Faces of noble people. Old and young. Sad. Mournful. Surprised. Different.

Frescoes by Giotto in the Church of Scrovegni in Padua (1302-1305). Left: Lamentation of Christ. Middle: Kiss of Judas (fragment). Right: Annunciation of St. Anne (Mother Mary), fragment.

Giotto's main work is the cycle of his frescoes in the Scrovegni Chapel in Padua. When this church opened to parishioners, crowds of people poured into it. They had never seen anything like this.

After all, Giotto did something unprecedented. He translated biblical stories in simple, understandable language. And they have become much more accessible ordinary people.

This is precisely what will be characteristic of many Renaissance masters. Laconic images. Lively emotions of the characters. Realism.

Read more about the master's frescoes in the article.

Giotto was admired. But his innovation was not developed further. The fashion for international gothic came to Italy.

Only after 100 years will a worthy successor to Giotto appear.

2. Masaccio (1401-1428)

Beginning of the 15th century. The so-called Early Renaissance. Another innovator is entering the scene.

Masaccio was the first artist to use linear perspective. It was designed by his friend, the architect Brunelleschi. Now the depicted world has become similar to the real one. Toy architecture is a thing of the past.

He adopted Giotto's realism. However, unlike his predecessor, he already knew anatomy well.

Instead of blocky characters, Giotto has beautifully built people. Just like the ancient Greeks.

Masaccio did not live long life. He died, like his father, unexpectedly. At 27 years old.

However, he had many followers. Masters of subsequent generations went to the Brancacci Chapel to study from his frescoes.

Thus, Masaccio’s innovation was taken up by all the great artists of the High Renaissance.

3. Leonardo da Vinci (1452-1519)

Leonardo da Vinci is one of the titans of the Renaissance. He had a tremendous influence on the development of painting.

It was da Vinci who raised the status of the artist himself. Thanks to him, representatives of this profession are no longer just artisans. These are creators and aristocrats of the spirit.

Leonardo made a breakthrough primarily in portrait painting.

He believed that nothing should distract from the main image. The gaze should not wander from one detail to another. This is how his famous portraits. Laconic. Harmonious.

Leonardo's main innovation is that he found a way to make images... alive.

Before him, characters in portraits looked like mannequins. The lines were clear. All details are carefully drawn. The painted drawing could not possibly be alive.

Leonardo invented the sfumato method. He shaded the lines. Made the transition from light to shadow very soft. His characters seem to be covered with a barely perceptible haze. The characters came to life.

Sfumato will be included in the active vocabulary of all great artists of the future.

There is often an opinion that Leonardo, of course, is a genius, but did not know how to complete anything. And I often didn’t finish paintings. And many of his projects remained on paper (in 24 volumes, by the way). And in general he was thrown either into medicine or into music. At one time I was even interested in the art of serving.

However, think for yourself. 19 paintings - and he - greatest artist of all times and peoples. And someone doesn’t even come close in terms of greatness, yet he painted 6,000 canvases in his life. It is obvious who has the higher efficiency.

About herself famous painting read the master in the article.

4. Michelangelo (1475-1564)

Michelangelo considered himself a sculptor. But there was universal master. Like his other Renaissance colleagues. Therefore, his pictorial heritage is no less grandiose.

He is recognizable primarily by his physically developed characters. He portrayed a perfect man in whom physical beauty means spiritual beauty.

That’s why all his heroes are so muscular and resilient. Even women and old people.

Michelangelo. Fragments of the fresco “ Last Judgment” in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican.

Michelangelo often painted the character naked. And then he added clothes on top. So that the body is as sculpted as possible.

He painted the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel alone. Although these are several hundred figures! He didn’t even allow anyone to rub paint. Yes, he was unsociable. He had a tough and quarrelsome character. But most of all he was dissatisfied with... himself.

Michelangelo lived a long life. Survived the decline of the Renaissance. For him it was a personal tragedy. His later works are full of sadness and sorrow.

Anyway creative path Michelangelo is unique. His early works are a celebration of the human hero. Free and courageous. IN best traditions Ancient Greece. What's his name David?

IN last years life is tragic images. Intentionally rough-hewn stone. It’s as if we are looking at monuments to the victims of 20th century fascism. Look at his Pietà.

Michelangelo's sculptures at the Academy of Fine Arts in Florence. Left: David. 1504 Right: Palestrina's Pietà. 1555

How is this possible? One artist in one life went through all stages of art from the Renaissance to the 20th century. What should subsequent generations do? Go your own way. Realizing that the bar is set very high.

5. Raphael (1483-1520)

Raphael was never forgotten. His genius was always recognized: both during life and after death.

His characters are endowed with sensual, lyrical beauty. It is he who is rightfully considered the most beautiful female images ever created. Outer beauty reflects and spiritual beauty heroines. Their meekness. Their sacrifice.

Famous words“Beauty will save the world” Fyodor Dostoevsky said exactly about. This was his favorite painting.

However, sensory images are not the only strong point Raphael. He thought through the compositions of his paintings very carefully. He was an unsurpassed architect in painting. Moreover, he always found the simplest and most harmonious solution in organizing space. It seems that it cannot be any other way.

Raphael lived only 37 years. He died suddenly. From a caught cold and medical error. But his legacy is difficult to overestimate. Many artists idolized this master. And they multiplied his sensual images in thousands of their canvases..

Titian was an unsurpassed colorist. He also experimented a lot with composition. In general, he was a daring innovator.

Everyone loved him for such brilliance of his talent. Called “the king of painters and the painter of kings.”

Speaking about Titian, after every sentence I want to put Exclamation point. After all, it was he who brought dynamics to painting. Pathos. Enthusiasm. Bright color. The radiance of colors.

By the end of his life he had developed unusual technique letters. The strokes are fast and thick. I applied the paint either with a brush or with my fingers. This makes the images even more alive and breathing. And the plots are even more dynamic and dramatic.

Does this remind you of anything? Of course, this is technology. And technology artists of the 19th century centuries: Barbizonians and. Titian, like Michelangelo, would go through 500 years of painting in one lifetime. That's why he's a genius.

ABOUT famous masterpiece Read the master in the article.

Renaissance artists are the owners of great knowledge. To leave such a legacy, there was a lot to learn. In the field of history, astrology, physics and so on.

Therefore, every image of them makes us think. Why is this depicted? What is the encrypted message here?

They were almost never wrong. Because they thoroughly thought through their future work. We used all our knowledge.

They were more than artists. They were philosophers. They explained the world to us through painting.

That is why they will always be deeply interesting to us.