Still Life: A History

Pierre Skira

ISBN 10: 0847811115 / ISBN 13: 9780847811113

Published by Rizzoli, 1989

About this Item

First edition hardcover with dust jacket, published by Rizzoli, 1989. Includes protective slipcase outer box. A look at the 'Still Life' as a form of paining. From ancient Egypt, Greece, and Rome, to the iconic works of the Renaissance, Impressionism, and up to Modern and Contemporary art movements. 180 pages, with Index, Bibliography, and Notes. 150 reproductions in full color. An oversized volume at 11-3/4" X 12-3/4". The dust jacket is intact and is not price clipped. Very sturdy, mustard yellow cloth covered boards. High quality printing and binding as is usual with Rizzoli. Sewn binding is tight and square. Edges of the text block are clean. No former ownership marks, no writing on the text pages. Not a library discard copy, not a remainder. Outer slipcase box is intact, corners are intact, Box has some very minor rubbing wear at the corners. Box has a small smudge mark at the top right edge, same color as the type, so it is possible it is a print production smudge, about 1 inch long and 1/4 inch tall. Attached are some photos of the copy we have in our inventory.

Seller Inventory # 24-04194

Bibliographic Details

• Title: Still Life: A History
• Publisher: Rizzoli
• Publication Date: 1989
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0847811115
• ISBN 13: 9780847811113
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Fine
• Dust Jacket Condition: Fine
• Seller catalogs:
  • Art History
  • Art
  • Ancient History

About this title

Synopsis

English, French (translation)

Reviews

Skira here examines the history of still life painting from Egypt, Greece, and Rome to the 20th century. In a book stunningly illustrated with 150 full-color reproductions, he explores the use of objects for their physical interest, as emblems and symbols, in trompe l'oeil exercises, and as metaphysical revelations. Chapters are grouped around these themes--the pomegranate as emblem and sexual object, or the Vanitas still life, using skulls, hourglasses, roses, and snuffed-out candles to deal with mortality. As a still life painter himself, Skira comes closer to the poetry and emotions that inspired the artists he surveys than an art historian might. His is an idiosyncratic, personal approach that is often brilliant but sometimes obscure. It can well be used along with Charles Sterling's more traditional Still Life: From Antiquity to the Twentieth Century (Harper, 1981. rev. ed.).
- Daniel Lombardo, Jones Lib., Inc., Amherst, Mass.
Copyright 1990 Reed Business Information, Inc.