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Author Erika Langmuir, OBE, (d. 2015) was educated in France and the United States. She taught at the University of Sussex and held the Chair of Art History at the Open University. She was Head of Education at the National Galley (1988–1995). Erika is author of Masterpieces and The National Gallery Companion Guide.
Still-life paintings appeal to many art lovers.
These skilfully painted tableaux are rich with meanings and tradition. The
objects captured range from the commonplace – flowers, fruit, vegetables – to
the desirable, such as musical instruments and books. In this book Erika
Langmuir examines the fascination of still life, and what distinguishes it from
other categories of painting. She discusses its evolution from the trompe l’oeil wall paintings of ancient
Rome, through its revival in the age of Caravaggio and Velázquez, and again in
the works of Cézanne and Picasso.
A Closer Look: Still Life was first published as Still Life: National Gallery Pocket Guides in
2001.
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