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Does a still life have to be realistic?
1 Answer

No, a still life doesn't have to be realistic. Still life is a genre or type of subject matter. To fit the definition, a piece simply needs to portray inanimate objects. Artists can employ any style they choose to represent the objects in their paintings. Some examples of abstract still-life paintings include Georges Braque's Violin and Candlestick, Pablo Picasso's Still Life with Chair Caning and Paul Cézanne's Fruit Bowl, Glass, and Apples. Find a large collection of still-life paintings on 1stDibs.
1stDibs ExpertAugust 29, 2024
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Shop for Still-life Paintings on 1stDibs
Cubist Tabletop Still Life with Fruit
Located in Wilton Manors, FL
Edgar A. (Ted) Batzell (1915=1996)
Cubist Tabletop Still Life Composition, ca. 1960.
Oil on artist board measuring 16 x 20 inches. Measuring 24 x 28 inches in a wide white frame.
Signed by the artist lower right.
Ted Batzell, was listed in Who's Who in American Art in 1957, and is now listed in Who Was Who in American Art. First in his class in the Master's of Fine Art program at Syracuse University he was awarded the highest honor along with the Augusta Hazard scholarship to study abroad. In high school he entered a nationwide poster contest and won a four year scholarship to Syracuse, where today for one year's tuition the cost is $45,000.
But he never got to use the Augusta Hazard award because World War II broke out and he went to New York City where he studied at the Art Students League and with artist Walt Kuhn as well as others.
Hired by the General Electric company art department in Schenectady, N.Y. , he progressed over the 35 years he was there (the only job he had until retirement), to an art director. At General Electric he was a "Madison Avenue Ad Man" for many years, like those in the series "Mad Men", spending every week at General Electric headquarters in New York City.
He was known to his fellow artists, many also renowned, as "the Renaissance Man" having a voracious appetite for reading and collecting art books...
Category
1960s Cubist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Oil, Illustration Board
Reflection (Abstract vs. Figurative, Warm, Vibrant, Modern)
Located in Kansas City, MO
Katherine Bello
Reflection
Mixed Media on Canvas
2020
Size: 30 x 48 x 1.5 inches (76.20 x 121.92 x 3.81 cm)
Signed, titled and dated verso
COA provided
*On Stretcher Frame, Gallery-...
Category
2010s Modern Still-life Paintings
Materials
Cotton Canvas, Mixed Media
Enjoing a summer day
Located in Zofingen, AG
The composition is centered around a harmonious group of white porcelain vessels, united into a single luminous shape. Against this quiet white mass, the vivid cherries seem to come...
Category
2010s Realist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Oil
Pink Oyster Shell with Pearls
Located in Zofingen, AG
Series: Sea Within — Shells & Pearls.
Pink Oyster Shell with Pearls explores the luminous beauty of the sea through a warm, jewel-like palette of dus...
Category
2010s Contemporary Still-life Paintings
Materials
Canvas, Acrylic
Soft Surrender: Original Impressionism Floral Painting, Iris, Daisies, Light
By Karnish Art
Located in Pretoria, Gauteng
Title: Soft Surrender
Flowers Landscape Unique Original Painting Peace Kindness Abundance
This is a one-of-a-kind artwork by the established contemporary artist, Karnish.
"Soft Su...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Abstract Impressionist Still-life Paintings
Materials
Gesso, Canvas, Wood, Acrylic, Stretcher Bars
Studio Flowers; Sweetpeas, Rose and Sunflower original painting, flower painting
Located in Deddington, GB
Original Oil painting with hand painted Japanese collage, inspired by Moroccan Tamegroute ceramics with seasonal flowers from my garden in Oxfordshire.
Additional information:
Colla...
Category
2010s Modern Still-life Paintings
Materials
Oil, Board

