Still life’s reputation has long been sullied by heavy-handed, novice renditions of lopsided bananas and static flower bouquets. However, it wasn’t always as such. The medium’s long and illustrious history reached its morbid zenith in 16th and 17th century Belgium and Holland, where the interplay between light and dark washed over solemn still lifes of skulls, wilting flowers and decaying fruit. (A little insight into the symbolism behind these objects: “Skulls functioned as a reminder of the certainty of death; rotten fruit symbolizes decay like aging; bubbles, smoke, watches, hourglasses and musical instruments symbolize the brevity of life.”) The grim Vanitas style of painting translates to “emptiness” in Latin and was intended to evoke the “meaninglessness of earthly life and the transient nature of vanity.” Needless to say, these compositions are thoughtful, if not the most optimistic. The darkness is only equal to the light.
Still Life With Fish and Orange Slices
More recently, photographer Justine Reyes has brought new life to the seemingly tapped still life medium through the lens of her camera. Her painterly compositions, sumptuous lighting and unusual couplings are provocative memorials to her own history. She says:
“All of the objects are things that I’ve owned for a very long time and things that had belonged to my grandmother. Pairing objects that belonged to my grandmother with my own possessions speaks to the concept of memory, familial legacy, and the passage of time. Both the decomposition of the natural (rotting fruit and wilting flowers) and the breakdown of the man-made objects reference the physical body, life’s impermanence, and the inevitability of death. My work examines identity, mortality, and the longing to hold on to things that are ephemeral and transitory in nature.”
Still Life With Bananas, Purse and Change
Still Life With Cup and Melon
However, Reyes is not the only one reinventing the medium in a deeply personal manner that also pays respect to art history. Etsy artists are having their own revival in the space between animate objects and mortality. Here are a few pieces reminiscent of Vanitas and Reyes’s work.
Muse along with (clockwise from top left) Not So Fruity by artystew, No. 30 Light Bulb by jacksonrobinson, Three Quince in Autumn Light by ajawin, Still Life Pomegranate by HouseofSixCats, and Pomegranate and Glass by BorisG.
What’s an overlooked artistic style that needs to be revived? Leave it in the comments!
118 comments
Sign in to add your ownrecycledwares says:
very interesting. i've seen a few still life's in the Detroit art museum with this same style. they always capture my attention.
2 years ago
RebeccaBarfoot says:
Thanks for featuring Justine's work- as a ceramic artist and painter, I love and respect contemporary work with an art historical perspective. Thoughtful pieces that remind me of the passage of time, and that what we spend our days doing *matters*- don't wait to find joy!
2 years ago
laurelinsailor says:
That's my taste! Great stuff Alison!
2 years ago
lynncyrart says:
As a Still Life artist myself, I can appreciate the creativity here!!! I myself strive for unusual compositions and even give my seemingly innocent subjects (fruits, vegetables, etc..) a life of their own in my paintings :)
2 years ago
soule says:
nice work!
2 years ago
Slowshirts says:
Gorgeous.
2 years ago
lynncyrart says:
I'm really loving this post!! Keep up the great work! :)
2 years ago
craftpile says:
I am drawn to the 65 wpm, the pomegranite print & the tangerine/opinel print...to name a few :) Amazing talent here!
2 years ago
YouAreYou says:
Yummy:)
2 years ago
Vanessa says:
I like to read about the double meaning that each object had in the Dutch still lifes. There's a whole secret code there that people of that time could recognize.
2 years ago
hankietankie says:
I love that I learn something from your articles! Thanks for the meaning of 'Vanitas'...The still life with banana & change purse demonstrates this well...Super fun, thanks!
2 years ago
lovelygifts says:
Great still life's
2 years ago
BeljaysFeltnArt says:
Still Life is a genre of great power but much maligned in this era. It is still one of my favourites.
2 years ago
6catsVintage says:
Great summary on the early history of symbolism in still life art. I find it fasinating to contemplate why artists choose the subject matter they choose to paint.
2 years ago
BeljaysFeltnArt says:
One of my favorite genres in painting. Great article.
2 years ago
6catsVintage says:
Thanks for the summary of the symbolism in early still lifes. I am always fasinated with why artists choose the subject matter they choose to paint.
2 years ago
6catsVintage says:
my system is hiccuping . . . sorry for the double post . .
2 years ago
Ayca says:
Gorgeous!
2 years ago
adrienneaudrey says:
Loooove the typewriter
2 years ago
mtraub says:
Frankly, I've always had a hard time accessing the emotion in still lifes, but reinterpreting these objects as symbols of death and decay leaves me poignantly haunted.
2 years ago
Floreal says:
Love the still life pomegranate..
2 years ago
MaggieGlynn says:
Such a difficult genre to master. These are amazing.
2 years ago
zuppaartista says:
interesting article. and gorgeous selections of art!
2 years ago
futurowoman says:
Very beautiful collection!
2 years ago
SwingStationStudio says:
Borisg's painting is so lovely! Being an art history major, I have always loved still life paintings, especially those with dark undertones. I love how a well-executed still life can force the viewer to not only question the symbolism, but to also look at everyday objects as special. A still live makes even a rotting banana revered and noticed. Great collection!
2 years ago
paramountvintage says:
each still life is very beautiful and somewhat dark. i love them all.
2 years ago
Furiousdreams says:
I love this article. Bravo for supporting fine artists on Etsy. Many of us began by painting still lifes, anatomy and representational work. It's still one of my favorite genres. I may just have to paint my garden grown asparagus tomorrow....thanks!
2 years ago
Vintage50sEyewear says:
Gorgeous!!!
2 years ago
dragonhouseofyuen says:
a very intelligent and thoughtful article - great to see art and it's historic influences still being revoked today in different mediums.
2 years ago
cherrybones says:
I loved this post! Having to do still lifes in high school art clases was always such a bore to me I had a hard time really appreciating them. I still dont really care for the usual flowers or fruit...the darker and stranger the better :) One of my favorites is in the Rau collection by Jacques Linard titled Vanitas with Candle, painted a year before his death. It is very beautiful to see in person.
2 years ago
polkadotmagpie says:
Wonderfully macabre. The "masquerade" is great. Things are not always as they seem, eh? Thanks Teen!
2 years ago
burnedfurniture says:
really lovely pieces, great article!
2 years ago
loopinloop says:
Gorgeous picks!
2 years ago
1HandWashesTheOther says:
This is so dark and wonderful! <3
2 years ago
saintesmariesjewelry says:
Incredible article, I would have never been able to come up with that! very very creative
2 years ago
mookiejones says:
wonderful art and a good article.
2 years ago
calloohcallay says:
Life, death, and the Flemish--nicely done!
2 years ago
artofjane says:
Interesting work.
2 years ago
palominoblue says:
Beautiful Work!
2 years ago
palominoblue says:
Beautiful Work!
2 years ago
littleputbooks says:
these are awesome! Way cool!
2 years ago
candacejean says:
LOVE this stuff. So rich and wonderful.
2 years ago
positiveflow says:
Very interesting still life photos. Nice article!!!
2 years ago
maryvican says:
Very interesting, I'd never heard of this! Always love to lose myself in art that makes me think. Thank you!
2 years ago
VedaArts says:
At first I couldn't tell if they were paintings or not. I think that is what is captivating, they seem like paintings done 200 years ago with a modern twist. Very nice!
2 years ago
peaceableempire says:
really nice.
2 years ago
HoldTheWire says:
Didn't know that about the Dutch paintings (vanitas). Enjoyed seeing the photographs, too. Thanks, good article.
2 years ago
blueflowervintage says:
Beautiful!!!
2 years ago
silentcheesecake says:
Wonderful!
2 years ago
MissHildebrandt says:
Is it true only those who dwell most in the right side of thier brains love to watch fruit decompose? he he
2 years ago
bungaloe says:
one of the most interesting posts here on the etsy blog
2 years ago
FavreBijoux says:
Classic subject matter for painting--fruit. Love the Pomegranate and glass.
2 years ago
astarteearthart says:
reminds me of the pomegranate sitting on my alter that dried whole and is now hard as a rock, never even molded. Very poetic blog post, thanks!
2 years ago
stubborndog says:
really interesting - thanks!
2 years ago
baconsquarefarm says:
Interesting finds plus great read~ Thanks
2 years ago
odiliafu says:
Love the artwork!
2 years ago
FrenchKnot2U says:
Beautiful choices-happy to see that classical the still life lives on. Vanessa convo me if you will about any reads on the double meaning of objects in Dutch still lifes-sounds muy interesante! I love art!!!!
2 years ago
accentonvintage says:
Very beautiful, a little off beat and very interesting!
2 years ago
BellyAntButton says:
Very beautiful photographs. They look like paintings, wow.
2 years ago
bhangtiez says:
wow...so nice
2 years ago
debhillart says:
Enjoyed this article! It is wonderful to see some of the exquisite art on Etsy being highlighted. Thank You.
2 years ago
tiemee says:
Beautiful, a little haunting, with a side of romance.
2 years ago
IrinaArtSmi says:
Very interesting photo !!!
2 years ago
wensaccessories says:
INTERESTING
2 years ago
boozyb says:
I love the painted and photographed pomegranate side by side. This article reminded me how most contemporary still life doesn't contain the strong symbolism that used to be easily recognizable. Though I did enjoy hearing about Justine Reyes' personal symbols. Thank you!
2 years ago
trixiefishstabber says:
Very lovely and beautiful. Thank you.
2 years ago
cottagefarm says:
a really lovely article - such beautiful work and so nice to see a fellow SFAI grad in these pages!
2 years ago
JennJennD says:
Great article, those pictures were really intersting.
2 years ago
pasin says:
very beautiful
2 years ago
JazzGreen says:
Thank you for the introduction to Justine Reye's work. Very interesting to read this on Etsy - I still find Vanitas very poignant and intriguing - they do not just originate from Belgium (Flanders) - many were Dutch ie. Holland aka the Netherlands. I think we all need reminding of the transience of earthly life...
2 years ago
ClementinesJewelry says:
Wonderful work
2 years ago
nowonder says:
S T U N I N G ! Great eye!
2 years ago
2treasurehunt says:
Interesting images. Very Beautiful.
2 years ago
SchneiderGallery says:
wow !! so many masterpieces, and totally new way of still life perception!!
2 years ago
Silvia66 says:
Really fantastic, awe-inspiring!
2 years ago
Ebruk says:
Great work.
2 years ago
SatinandBirch says:
Just another reminder for me how important it is to bring art back into out learning facilities. So many young people are growing up without the benefits art in their lives. Thank you
2 years ago
pictureseatpeople says:
wow, these are really interesting. i love still life, i find it's a really good way to photograph my handmade goods, surrounded by other complimentary things seems to show off it's 'object-ness'.
2 years ago
carlossantiago says:
wow! i am very impressed with the painting on top. very beautiful theme. great work. best, PARK
2 years ago
vickygonart says:
awesome!!!
2 years ago
LulaMatilda says:
"Three quince in autumn light" by ajawan really grabbed my attention. The yellow-green of the quinces paired with light blue-gray are a luminous combo and really stand out against the rich, dark neutral background. Nice work! Very interesting blog post.
2 years ago
tomatored says:
very talented group! and reasonably priced!
2 years ago
NoMoreTwistHandmade says:
thank you for an art-focused post. i feel we often forget about fine-artists and am so happy to learn about new painters, photographers, etc.
2 years ago
MysticSilks says:
Leave it to the poets and painters to give a true expression of life, and that which isn't--;)
2 years ago
kristimcmurry says:
AMAZING. I love seeing all different types of art featured, and this is a great one! The still life photos are gorgeous.
2 years ago
Ornamelle says:
Wow, some of the photos are really good!
2 years ago
LittleWrenPottery says:
wow, such detail I thought they were photos at first!
2 years ago
breadandroses2 says:
Beauty, as well as emotional reaction, is in the eye/mind of the beholder. Morbid, less than optimistic? I think not. Not be cute, but vanitas has gravitas: "gravitas: |ˈgraviˌtäs| noun dignity, seriousness, or solemnity of manner ORIGIN Latin, from gravis ‘serious." That life, and all material things in it, are temporary is a basic fact of reality and has been expressed symbolically from antiquity onwards. Just as the Vanitas genre was probably a reaction to the excess materialism of 16th/17th c. Flemish society, it may be more relevant than ever in our age. This is a fine collection. Looking forward to more art features.
2 years ago
eringopaint says:
A beautiful haunting collection!
2 years ago
VelveteenHabbit says:
CREATING OR CAPTURING TRANSPARENCY IN PAINTINGS OR PHOTOS IS SO DIFFICULT!! I APPLAUD ALL THESE ARTISTS IN THEIR EXCELLENT VEILS OF DARKNESS OR LIGHTNESS OR MISTY-NESS---I LOVE THE SAD HUMMINGBIRD SPECIMENS SO ALIVE IN THEIR JAR TRAPS AND SURREAL OR ETHEREAL FEELINGS IN ALL!!!
2 years ago
Morado says:
Gorgeous! I love the contrast between alive and dead :o)
2 years ago
MouseTrapVintage says:
Lovely article, Alison. Thank you!
2 years ago
AshleyPahl says:
I've seen decaying fruit as still life in paintings, but never before in photography. For me, seeing it in photos gives it a very interesting angle.
2 years ago
MagicMarkingsArt says:
The beauty and meaning behind still life and domestic scenes from Dutch artists are always inspiring. One of my favorite artists is Vermeer. Thank you for highlighting this beautiful form of art and for sharing a little bit of art history.
2 years ago
ArtisticIntentions says:
Very interesting!
2 years ago
thestapeliacompany says:
Neat. :)
2 years ago
elemegibere says:
Wonderful!
2 years ago
papercutworks says:
The Hummingbird piece is beautiful & intriguing!
2 years ago
jamieribisi says:
I studied Symbolism for a long time-- this book is a great reference and read if anyone's interested in further exploration: http://www.amazon.com/Handbook-Symbols-Christian-Art/dp/0684826836
2 years ago
amefaust says:
I love all of these images, I've loved this style of painting/photography ever since I was in high school and my boyfriend's stepfather was a painter in this medium. It was the vivid oranges that did it for me.
2 years ago
RabbitHoleProduction says:
These are some of my FAVORITE paintings--Vanitas! I think I was a little faint over the banana and purse still life...
2 years ago
aisle3studio says:
lovin the apple. applemazing!
2 years ago
suvarna says:
wonderful work!
2 years ago
MeAndBoo says:
In high school I hated doing still life pictures as it seemed that's all we ever did. I even gave up art in the last couple of years because I thought I'd never be able to do interesting stuff. I do regret that decision. It is amazing that people in the past could 'read' paintings and understand the symbolism, something we have lost in this time. Although still not my favourite genre of art, I do love Artruant's piece, Revelation Skull Print and also the Hummingbird Print by Nighshade Studios. As Cherrybones said, the darker and stranger, the better!! I always end up with mouldy fruit and veg in my kitchen - I should do some still lives!
2 years ago
Iammie says:
Interesting arts.
2 years ago
meteor says:
very impressive...
2 years ago
artangel says:
Wow Justine's work is fabulous! Interesting read - the symbolism used in art is fascinating to me.
2 years ago
mythunderstood says:
Great - thank you!
2 years ago
frenchtoastfriday says:
very artistic...
2 years ago
JoshUrsoDesign says:
We love Dutch still life paintings: the drama, the intrigue, those seductive dark spaces for fruit and flowers to strut their stuff. Justines work captures that and adds a little extra something to it. The fact that her medium is photography makes the subject matter seem even more provacative. Very exciting!
2 years ago
GabriellaFiabane says:
Great article.
2 years ago
AREjewellery says:
Interesting. I like the fact that english speaking it it 'still life' and in italian it is 'natura morta' - definitely more appropriate in this circumstance.
2 years ago
panchromatica says:
Good to see an article about art as art, not just decoration.
2 years ago
yogiodie says:
Nice job! Your love of history, art and literature always comes thru! You are so diverse in subjects, well versed in many.........
2 years ago
thaiamuletluckbuddha says:
Beautiful article! Thank you for your style I love it.
2 years ago
GreenRoomStudios says:
Beautiful article and beautiful artwork also.
2 years ago
PortugueseVintage says:
Fantastic! I love "nature morts" too!
2 years ago
JeansVintageCloset says:
Artwork will definatley catch your eye and set the wheels and cogs of your mind to whirling, like the typewriter studio and orange peels
2 years ago