Monday, November 07, 2011

After Giovanna Garzoni - still life

After Giovanna Garzoni - oil on canvas 34 x 50 cm
(Click the painting for a larger image)

This could be called 'Biting off more than I could chew'.  I started the painting a couple of winters ago trying to come to terms with oil paints.  I chose for the exercise to copy a combination of two tempera on vellum pictures by Giovanna Garzoni (b. 1600 Ascoli Piceno, Italy, d. 1670 Rome).  This Italian female painter  was among the first to paint decorative still life and gain fame and fortune as a professional artist.  

 Giovanna Garzoni - 35.5 x 49.5 cm
Firenze, Galleria Palatina

 
 Giovanna Garzoni - 27 x 35 cm
Firenze, Galleria Palatina

And what have I learnt from this exercise?  That Giovanna Garzoni is an inspiration and not to bite off more than I can chew!

If you'd like to see some more of Garzoni's paintings, I found this delightful video on You Tube.



 

14 comments:

Felicity Grace said...

Wow, it's beautiful, Robyn! It may have been a labour of love but it was certainly worth it!

Anita said...

Beautiful, Robin!

ann @ studiohyde said...

What a great version you have achieved, I really like it.

Making A Mark said...

WOW! You've done amazingly well. I thought when I first looked at the page that the top image was one of hers.

You've chosen an amazing artist to study and emulate. I absolutely adore her work. In fact she features in my 2007 blog post about "What is Still Life?"

Love the YouTube video - that's the first time I've seen it - thanks for the introduction to it!

Caroline said...

Well, I really like it and think you've done a super job!

Anonymous said...

This is truly great painting work by you Robyn! Well done
Ronelle

Robyn Sinclair said...

Many thanks to you all. :)

Katherine, it's quite likely your still life post was what got me hooked on Giovanna in the first place and then I made the Italian connection. I won't be doing any more copies but certainly her approach to still life will always be a great influence.

Bridget Hunter said...

I really think you've done a wonderful work here Robyn. And wasn't Garzoni an amazing artist. Some of these are exquisit. Thankyou for UTube link. I especially love the beetle and figs painting.

Robyn Sinclair said...

Thanks, Bridget. I was very tempted by that one too but in the end I was won over by the chance to paint a fly. :)

Joan Tavolott said...

I think you did a wonderful job on this!!! I like it a lot. Ciao!!

JANE MINTER said...

robyn hope you do more ..it's super ..can see why you were inspired i've just loved watchng the video ..incredible still lifes ..thankyou ciao jane

Parisbreakfasts said...

Amazing painting! Bravo.
Did you happen to see the Italian Natura Morta exhibit in Florence maybe in 2005..fantastic.
If you like bugs you must know Georg Flegel

Robyn Sinclair said...

Joan - Thanks, you'd know how far this is away from my usual style (whatever that is).

Jane - Thank you. Unfortunately I've not has as much success painting still life from life and I really don't want to copy any more.

Carol - Delighted to have you drop in - I can't see a macaroon without thinking Paris Breakfasts :)
No I didn't see that exhibition in Florence. We only arrived in Italy in the second half of 2005. I was lucky enough to see the fantastic Trompe L'oeil exhibition 'Art and Illusion' at the Paazzo Strozzi in 2009.
I love Georg Flegel's work - he paints all my favourite things - bugs, birds, food.... I would never be able to imitate him though. His technique is magical.

Joan Sandford-Cook said...

Wow Robyn what an amazingly clever piece of work - don't know about not being able to 'chew' the subject I reckon it went down smoothly with a nice glass of bubbly!! Wonderful.

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