Tuesday, July 31, 2012

for still life class: symbolism

 Audrey Flack, Marilyn (Vanitas).  Here's a 20th century painting that nods to the older European tradition of the "Vanitas" still life: paintings that treat a particular Christian belief in the meaninglessness or transience of the material world.  These paintings include such symbols as fruit and flowers (showing signs of decay, or with insects), snuffed out candles, bubbles, skulls, etc.  Below, the floral still life by Dutch artist Rachael Ruysch celebrates the beauty of nature and nods to the cycle of life and death (see what critters you can find).


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