Dutch still life photography. A perfect example of the old technique getting combined with modern age ideas is mat collishaw s last meal on death row series of works. But get it right and still life photography can be an extremely powerful art form and can be utilised in projects from calendar design to poster design. For an artist reinterpreting the still life paintings of the dutch golden age in a new medium kevin best could not have been born in a more appropriately named country.
The term still life is derived from the dutch word stilleven which gained prominence during the 16th century. The earliest known still life paintings were created by the egyptians in the 15th century. Setting up the light and getting themed props are key to make the photo work.
In the 1600s dutch and flemish artists kind of went a little nuts with still life paintings creating timeless images of flowers tables clad with drooping table cloths and pitchers of cold water and musical instruments awaiting their musicians. To create this still life she used a hasselblad the bad boy of medium format photography. But dont get intimidatedfeel free to use your dslr point and shoot or even your phone.
Still life as a particular genre began with netherlandish painting of the 16th and 17th centuries and the english term still life derives from the dutch word stilleven. Kevin takes us back to that golden era he has amassed an. Although they appear as meticulously arranged staged photography still lifes of food each image is actually based on death row inmates last meals before they are executed.
In stilllife contemporary dutch photography foam presents work by dutch photographers that refers to a classic genre. The dutch were less given to the flemish style of combining large still life elements with other types of painting they would have been considered prideful in portraits and the flemish habit of specialist painters collaborating on the different elements in the same work. For a large group of contemporary autonomous photographers still life continues to inspire although the concept has been modernized and brought up to date.
As you explore stilllife. While it was during this time that the still life gained recognition as a genre its roots date back to ancient times. Contemporary dutch photography at jng the first thing that hits you is the potatoes series by anuschka blommers and niels schumm.
Here are 30 talented artists who have perfected the difficult skill of making as well as taking their photos. Early still life paintings particularly before 1700 often contained religious and allegorical symbolism relating to the objects depicted. A quintessentially dutch subject the potatoes have been depicted by numerous artists over the centuries.
Still life as exquisite objects.