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Still Life Paintings

Still life paintings are domestic and luxurious. During the Dutch Golden Age – that is, the 1600s – there was an explosion in still life painting. Moving into the 1900s, when the art world was driven by academies in the major capital cities, the state-sponsored tastemakers looked down on still life painting but that never stopped its production.

Sometimes a still life is a bouquet of flowers on a table. Depending on the flower, it can have all sorts of meanings associated. For example, lilies are the flower for the Virgin Mary. The Symbolist painter, Odilon Redon, painted colorful flower still life scenes in the second part of his life, a time when he enjoyed domestic bliss.

Another frequent still life scenario is a bowl or tray of fruit, perhaps with cheese that is slightly soft to show it is at room temperature. There might also be a crab or meat. A lone knife positioned at the front edge of the table, on a diagonal line, offers a point of entry for the viewer’s eye into the three-dimensional world.


Quick Facts

  • Paul Cezanne, the Post-Impressionist master whose work closely anticipates Cubism, painted late still life scenes with the edge of the table broken
  • Georges Braque and Pablo Picasso painted still life canvases with musical instruments. Cubism was something fun for them, and an entertainment for the viewer to find the image based on the clue of the title
  • Landscape paintings by Robert De Niro, Sr., father of the famous actor, occasionally come to market at affordable prices

Recommended Items at Auction

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Cornelis Le Mair (Dutch,1944-?) oil painting
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Cornelis Le Mair (Dutch,1944-?) oil painting
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Antique 19C American oil painting signed
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Jesse Corsaut (CA,KS,1929-2018) oil painting
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Jesse Corsaut (CA,KS,1929-2018) oil painting
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FRENCH STILL LIFE OIL PAINTING BY CLAUDE VENARD
Dec 09, 10:00 AM EST
FRENCH STILL LIFE OIL PAINTING BY CLAUDE VENARD
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Olav Cleofas van Overbeek (Dutch 1946). Balsemflesje [Balm bottle], 1980.
Dec 12, 1:00 PM CET
Olav Cleofas van Overbeek (Dutch 1946). Balsemflesje [Balm bottle], 1980.
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Jaap Ploos van Amstel (Dutch 1926 - 2022). Stilleven [Still life], 1956.
Dec 12, 1:00 PM CET
Jaap Ploos van Amstel (Dutch 1926 - 2022). Stilleven [Still life], 1956.
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Est: €400- €600
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CANJURA, Noé (Salvadoran, 1922-1970). Soleils et Pavots. [N...
Dec 06, 10:00 AM CST
CANJURA, Noé (Salvadoran, 1922-1970). Soleils et Pavots. [N...
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E Hunt (US,19C) oil painting antique
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Dirk Smorenberg (Dutch 1883 - 1960). Water lily, 1923.
Dec 11, 7:30 PM CET
Dirk Smorenberg (Dutch 1883 - 1960). Water lily, 1923.
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Est: €3,000- €5,000
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Robert Waltsak (NJ,b 1944) oil painting
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Robert Waltsak (NJ,b 1944) oil painting
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PETER MAX Original Painting, Flag with Heart
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Rosa Covarrubias (nee Rolanda) (1895-1970), Floral still life, Watercolor on paper, 18" H x 13.5" W
Dec 06, 12:00 PM PST
Rosa Covarrubias (nee Rolanda) (1895-1970), Floral still life, Watercolor on paper, 18" H x 13.5" W
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ATTR Edward Leavitt (RI,1842-1904) oil painting antique
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ATTR Edward Leavitt (RI,1842-1904) oil painting antique
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Jan Bor (Dutch 1910 - 1994). Still life with a jug, a plate, a book and a pipe, 1949.
Dec 12, 1:00 PM CET
Jan Bor (Dutch 1910 - 1994). Still life with a jug, a plate, a book and a pipe, 1949.
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LUIS CLARAMUNT
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Sellers Who Sell Still Life Paintings


Broward Auction Gallery LLC

Broward Auction Gallery LLC

Weatherham Estate Treasures

Weatherham Estate Treasures

Art-Torg

Art-Torg

Benedetto Trionfante Casa d’Aste

Benedetto Trionfante Casa d’Aste