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Still Life Drawings

Still life drawings are defined as works on paper featuring inanimate objects, typically executed in a drawing medium such as pastel, ink, or pencil. The subjects of still life drawings tend towards the quotidian, and can include both natural and man-made subjects. These include plants, dead animals, food, jewelry, vases, books, and clocks. Still life drawings draw attention to the innate aesthetic beauty of the objects that surround us in daily life, which is often taken for granted.

The tradition of still life drawing dates back to ancient Egyptian civilization. Food items and other objects were painted on the tombs of Pharaohs according to the belief that the items would be available to the deceased in their afterlife. Still life emerged as a major genre in Western art during the 17th century in the Dutch Golden age, when artists would paint incredibly intricate compositions. These works typically contained allegorical and religious significance.

Still life remained popular throughout the 20th century. Outstanding contemporary examples of still life drawings include the drawings of vases by Giorgio Morandi and the present day works by Jonas Wood.


Quick Facts

  • Jonas Wood's still life drawings feature age old iconography including plants and vases, but are rendered in an unmistakably modern way
  • French Impressionist artist Paul Cezanne created a prolific number of still life drawings throughout his career. He demonstrated a preoccupation with reinventing the tradition of still life by depicting commonplace fruit in a gestural style that was considered radical at the time
  • Roy Lichtenstein's "Still Life with Windmill," executed in color pencil and graphite, sold at Christie's in 2010 for more than $130,000

Recommended Items at Auction

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James Ensor (Belgian, 1860-1949) Still Life; with Figure Studies (A Double-Sided Work), 1882
Jun 24, 10:00 AM EDT
James Ensor (Belgian, 1860-1949) Still Life; with Figure Studies (A Double-Sided Work), 1882
by Freeman’s | Hindman
Est: $4,000- $6,000
$2,0003 Bids
NORMAN LUNDIN (WA) "LIGHT OBSERVATIONS" PASTEL, 1996
Jun 15, 2:00 PM PDT
NORMAN LUNDIN (WA) "LIGHT OBSERVATIONS" PASTEL, 1996
by District Auction
Est: $750- $1,500
$9003 Bids
MABEL DUCASSE (WA) STILL LIFE WITH BOWL OF FRUIT PASTEL ON PAPER, CIRCA 1920
Jun 15, 2:00 PM PDT
MABEL DUCASSE (WA) STILL LIFE WITH BOWL OF FRUIT PASTEL ON PAPER, CIRCA 1920
by District Auction
Est: $300- $600
$1602 Bids
Mathieu WEEMAELS (1967), pastel ’La veste’, signed
Jun 22, 11:00 AM CEST
Mathieu WEEMAELS (1967), pastel ’La veste’, signed
by Maison Jules Veilinghuis
Est: €200- €300
€2002 Bids
O. Anderson, Jaguar Mark IV, Pen and Ink Drawing
Jun 18, 10:00 AM EDT
O. Anderson, Jaguar Mark IV, Pen and Ink Drawing
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $100- $200
$101 Bid
BAES Firmin (1874 - 1945) Pastel sur carton "Le jeu de cartes". Signé en
Jun 18, 6:30 PM CEST
BAES Firmin (1874 - 1945) Pastel sur carton "Le jeu de cartes". Signé en
by Vanderkindere
Est: €800- €1,200
€6001 Bid
FLORAL STILL LIFE PASTEL BY GLADYS THAYER REASONER 1921, (1886- 1945) 22" X 18"
Jun 22, 10:30 AM EDT
FLORAL STILL LIFE PASTEL BY GLADYS THAYER REASONER 1921, (1886- 1945) 22" X 18"
by Carlsen Gallery, Inc.
Est: $300- $600
$1501 Bid
Janine M Bravery, Australia (1921-2002), Pink Blooms, Pen, ink & wash
Jun 16, 6:00 PM AEST
Janine M Bravery, Australia (1921-2002), Pink Blooms, Pen, ink & wash
by Theodore Bruce Auctioneers & Valuers
Est: AUD40- AUD60
AUD201 Bid
NORMAN LUNDIN (WA) "STUDIO WINDOW AT NIGHT" PASTEL, 1994
Jun 15, 2:00 PM PDT
NORMAN LUNDIN (WA) "STUDIO WINDOW AT NIGHT" PASTEL, 1994
by District Auction
Est: $750- $1,500
$3751 Bid
ERWIN LUTZ-WALDNER – IM HÜTTENWERK
Jun 14, 10:00 AM CEST
ERWIN LUTZ-WALDNER – IM HÜTTENWERK
by Hargesheimer Kunstauktionen Düsseldorf
Est: €120- €240
€1200 Bids
Werner Wittig "Eine Erinnerung". Wohl 1991.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
Werner Wittig "Eine Erinnerung". Wohl 1991.
by Schmidt Kunstauktionen Dresden OHG
Est: €350- €400
€3000 Bids
Friedrich Preller l’Ancien (1804–1878), Orti Farnesiani
Jun 15, 5:00 PM CEST
Friedrich Preller l’Ancien (1804–1878), Orti Farnesiani
by Feldman International Auctions
Est: CHF400- CHF800
CHF4000 Bids
Drew Dugger, Fishing Lures, Two Works
Jun 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Drew Dugger, Fishing Lures, Two Works
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $100- $200
$600 Bids
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UNKNOWN PAINTER AFTER JEAN FRANCOIS FORTY
Jun 28, 10:00 AM CEST
UNKNOWN PAINTER AFTER JEAN FRANCOIS FORTY
by Galerie Moenius
Est: CHF800- CHF1,600
CHF8000 Bids
Louis SOUTTER (1871-1942), "Ornement en volutes avec tête", encre de Chine
Jun 19, 3:00 PM CEST
Louis SOUTTER (1871-1942), "Ornement en volutes avec tête", encre de Chine
by Dogny Auction
Est: CHF2,500- CHF3,000
CHF2,4000 Bids
Henrietta Waring, 9 Pen & Ink Flower Drawings
Jun 17, 10:00 AM EDT
Henrietta Waring, 9 Pen & Ink Flower Drawings
by Everard Auctions and Appraisals
Est: $150- $250
$900 Bids
FEDERICO KROMKA (1890-1942), NATURE MORTE CUBISTE AUX GUITARES
Jun 16, 2:30 PM CEST
FEDERICO KROMKA (1890-1942), NATURE MORTE CUBISTE AUX GUITARES
by Accademia Fine Art
Est: €800- €1,200
€8000 Bids
VONTRA, GERHARD (1920 - 2010). SONNENBADEN.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
VONTRA, GERHARD (1920 - 2010). SONNENBADEN.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€800 Bids
DITTMAR, R.. BLUMENSTÜCK.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
DITTMAR, R.. BLUMENSTÜCK.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€200 Bids
MONOGRAMMIST "PS": LILIEN.
Jun 21, 10:00 AM CEST
MONOGRAMMIST "PS": LILIEN.
by Auktionshaus Wendl
Est: €0- €0
€1200 Bids

Sellers Who Sell Still Life Drawings


Historia Auctionata

Historia Auctionata

Swann Auction Galleries

Swann Auction Galleries

Freeman’s | Hindman

Freeman’s | Hindman

Schmidt Kunstauktionen Dresden OHG

Schmidt Kunstauktionen Dresden OHG