giorgio morandi still life
Giogio Morandi
is Italy's most famous 20th century still life painter. He lived from
1890 - 1964 and is most remembered and renowned for his extensive
body of still life paintings (called natura morta in Italian). Giorgio Morandi
still life painter Giorgio Morandi's
still life paintings are instantly recognizable for their muted color
palette, subdued and unsophisticated subject matter, and quiet simplicity. What makes his
still life paintings so remarkable? Let's find out! This page provides
an overview and analysis of the main features and characteristics
of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings. We'll take a look at the
objects in his paintings, his use of color and tone, his sense of
composition and perspective, and how he handled the paint. We'll examine
how all of these stylistic factors come together to create paintings
that emanate a timeless sense of hushed contemplation. Objects Morandi's subject
matter gravitated towards everyday objects that could be found in
any kitchen - such as jars, ceramic bowls and vases, bottles, pitchers,
jugs and boxes. These objects are familiar, yet they are purposely
stripped of any identifying marks such as labels. This lends the objects
a sense of anonymity and universality - these objects could easily
come from anyone's kitchen. They could even be found on the shelves
of your own cupboard. The objects are
placed on a nondescript tabletop, grouped together in various arrangements.
The key factor is
that these domestic objects are utterly unremarkable. They are not
loud and ostentious. They do not demand our attention. These are not
the objects of the rich and famous. Instead, they are silently humble.
They represent a reality that is not dressed to impress. By focusing
on objects that are commonplace, he shines a light on the functional
objects we use everyday that are often overlooked and taken for granted.
Form Morandi paints
his still life objects to have a weighty, chunky appearance. They
seem solid and sturdy - at times appearing almost architectural in
form. This style resonates with the functionality of these objects
- these objects were designed to be used often, rather than admired.
The objects have
a matte (almost dull) surface appearance, lacking reflections or any
other shine. Many of them are painted with the absolute minimal amount
of shading and highlights. Morandi takes subtle gradations of greys
to new levels, at times only hinting of 3-dimensionality while still
retaining a monumental presence. Take a look at the painting on the
right to see what I mean! Colors Morandi uses a
muted color palette for his still life paintings, often working in
a range of whites and greys, occasionally foraying into other equally
somber colors. His deliberate use of pale color creates inward-looking
paintings that are sensitive to the objects portrayed. Giorgio Morandi's
still life paintings employ a careful balance of subdued colors and
subtle tones. As mentioned earlier in reference to how he builds (or
rather, hints) at form, he stylistically works in a limited tonal
range. Tone refers to how light or dark a color is.
Therefore, a light tone can be used to indicate a highlight, and a
dark tone can indicate a shadow. In the above painting, notice how
the objects almost appear flat, because of their lack of a wide tonal
range. The white vases only carry a slight hint of grey at the sides,
demarking 3-dimensionality. Although he is
largely known for these stylistic qualities, not all of his paintings
are this subtle. His painting on the left has a clear light source,
resulting in heavy shadows on the right. The perceived solidity of
these objects is undeniable. Composition Although the composition
of Giorgio Morandi's still life paintings look deceptively simple,
he would spend weeks obsessively shuffling the objects around to get
just the right placement. He would experiment with different combinations
of objects overlapping and placed next to each other in a variety
of ways, looking for the right medley of forms. The perspective
of his still life paintings is always looking straight on at them,
or looking down at them. There is a certain mysterious ambiguity to
the location of Morandi's still life set-ups. Because it's impossible
to pinpoint a specific location or identify the owners of the objects,
the paintings enjoy an anonymous, silent quality. Technique Morandi works
in a painterly style, in which the brushstrokes are visible and thus
become an important part of the composition. He is not concerned with
hiding the brushstrokes to create a smooth surface appearance. Instead,
he paints in such a way that the quality and handling of the paint
have as much contemplative importance as the objects he is painting. Giorgio Morandi's
still life paintings are the work of a thoughtful, dedicated soul
who stretched his own canvas and ground his own pigments. He was a
reclusive figure who was obsessively devoted to his painting. From
his early influences of Cubism and Futurism, Morandi adapted his own
recognizable painting style. He produced a plethora of still life
paintings that carry an ageless quality, superceding time and place. Giorgio Morandi's
work was well-received during his lifetime - winning first prize at
the 1948 Venice Biennale and in the 1957 São Paulo Biennale.
As a further honor, the renowned Italian filmmaker Federico Fellini
exalted Morandi's work in his film, La Dolce Vita. Amongst Italy's
already impressive list of master artists, Morandi is considered a
modern master. His paintings are deceptively simple and discreet,
requiring an openness and sensitivity to properly absorb, understand
and appreciate. 
Natura Morta
Giorgio Morandi still life
Natura Morta
Giorgio Morandi still life
