The artwork titled “Still Life,” created by Giorgio de Chirico in 1929, exemplifies the Neo-baroque movement and belongs to the genre of still life. This piece, executed in oil on canvas, measures 73 by 101 cm and was completed in Paris, France.
The artwork features a classical still life composition, skillfully blending elements that appear at first glance incongruous yet harmoniously balanced. At the center, the piece portrays an assortment of seafood, including a lobster, fish, and a shrimp, meticulously detailed to reveal their natural textures. Nearby, the sculpted visage of a classical figure lies, evocative of ancient art and contributing a timeless, almost ethereal quality to the composition. Intermingling with these elements are two ripe lemons and two red apples, which introduce vibrant pops of color against the subdued backdrop and the stark white cloth draped elegantly underneath. The seascape in the background hints at an open, vast expanse, juxtaposing the intimate nature of the still life arrangement. Through this ensemble, de Chirico creates a dialogue between tradition and modernity, life, and artifice, all while adhering to the stylistic tendencies of the Neo-baroque movement.
