Still Life

Blaise Desgoffe

Kia ora koutou — this is a series where we ZOOM in on one of the wonderful artworks from the Dunedin Public Art Gallery’s Collection...

THE ARTWORK:
Still Life 1861
by Blaise Desgoffe    
[1830-1901 French]
Oil on panel
Collection Dunedin Public Art Gallery

 

ZOOM IN: 
Here are some fancy objects arranged on a table in a darkened room.

Light is shining on them from a window on the left. 

Can you see a peacock feather fan with an ivory handle? 

Why do you think you can’t buy one of these in the shops anymore?

 Do you think this artwork looks more like a photograph than painting?

A painting of objects sitting on a table is called a still life. The objects could be expensive antiques or everyday objects such apples and pears in a bowl. 

 

MAKE ART: 
You could make an artwork like this:

Arrange some of your favourite things on a tabletop and draw them. This still life will be special because it shows us what is special to you. 

Your still life is a kind of self-portrait.

 

DOWNLOAD A WORKSHEET
Click this link
 to download this activity as an A4 worksheet

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