Still life has a long history in the West. Before a relative eclipse in the High Middle Ages, it was very present in Greco-Roman culture and regained its position in the last centuries of the medieval period, before establishing itself as a major genre during the Renaissance.
In the 17th century, the still life gained in autonomy. The accumulation of objects evoking a luxurious overabundance remained the order of the day, but a counter-current gradually took hold, promoting a radical sobriety that sometimes bordered on austerity. With the famous "Vanities", the works took on a value combining religion and philosophy, confirming the genre's vocation as more than just an aesthetic language.
At the turn of the century, emphasis seemed to become the rule, imposing demonstrative compositions. But the spectacular soon gave way to a more sincere language, without excessive effects, where elegance reigned in poetic simplicity. The desire to illustrate advances in scientific knowledge finally brought new accents, contrasting with an already pre-romantic outlook.
From Zurbarán to Arellano and Meléndez, from Snyders to Claesz and Kalf, from Moillon to Monnoyer and Chardin, from Recco to Porpora and Castelli, the Europe of the nature-mortists unfolds magnificently in the modern era.
In the 17th century, the still life gained in autonomy. The accumulation of objects evoking a luxurious overabundance remained the order of the day, but a counter-current gradually took hold, promoting a radical sobriety that sometimes bordered on austerity. With the famous "Vanities", the works took on a value combining religion and philosophy, confirming the genre's vocation as more than just an aesthetic language.
At the turn of the century, emphasis seemed to become the rule, imposing demonstrative compositions. But the spectacular soon gave way to a more sincere language, without excessive effects, where elegance reigned in poetic simplicity. The desire to illustrate advances in scientific knowledge finally brought new accents, contrasting with an already pre-romantic outlook.
From Zurbarán to Arellano and Meléndez, from Snyders to Claesz and Kalf, from Moillon to Monnoyer and Chardin, from Recco to Porpora and Castelli, the Europe of the nature-mortists unfolds magnificently in the modern era.
Uurroosters
De 16 februari 2026
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De 17 februari 2026
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De 19 februari 2026
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