Still Life

Arts & Activities, June, 2005 by Jerome J. Hausman

PRINT

STILL LIFE (2004, $12.95) by Parramon's Editorial Team, Barron's Educational Series, Inc., 250 Wireless Blvd., Hauppauge, NY 11788.

This is a book that can be useful for middle- and senior-high-school students. The first half of the book is devoted to general information that would be useful in creating a still life--conceptual and symbolic messages conveyed by still life; basic concepts of the creative process (formal elements--color, form and space as well as composition). The second half of the book outlines the technical and expressive processes involved in a variety of styles and techniques.

At the outset, the author makes clear: "... still life is one of the most popular genres in the history of painting, for the simplicity and the possibilities that it offers the artist at every level." Later, the authors observe: "... with still-life paintings the way a theme is treated is as important as the theme itself. Each element evokes a different emotion because of the significance that the object has for the artist and for the person who views the work."

Compared with "coffee table" books, this volume is a small one: 10 1/2" x 7 1/2". It does, however, have small-sized illustrations of still-life works by numerous artists: van Gogh, Metaling, Vermeer, Cezanne, Matisse, Braque, Dali, Morandi, Picasso and others.--J.J.H. For information about this publication, circle No. 400 on the Reader Service Card.