Work information

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin

Jean-Baptiste-Siméon Chardin was famous for his classical still life art, having been born in Paris in 1699. The 18th Century artist is widely considered to be a master of still life.
He was largely self-taught however studied under supervision of modest artists, beginning his career by painting sign posts. He was influenced by realism and subject matter which was the style at the time. Like all the still life artists at the time he painted common domestic scenes. These pieces were favored among the rich despite still life not being the prevailing art style at the time and were known for their beautifully delicate and aesthetically pleasing imagery.
Chardin favored simplistic works with delicate brush strokes and masterful uses of light and textures. He favoured simplistic items, however he was able to portray the nature of the subject through his paintings (i.e glass or material). Despite historical art being the prevailing style at the time, Chardin continued his works with still life and was even able to gain an appreciative audience.













For the majority of his life Chardin’s work was successful. His work, specifically presentation of 'They Ray' was later discovered by Nicolas de Largilliere which led to Chardin’s admittance in the Academie Royale. In 1724 he became a master in the Academie Royale. In his early career, Still life was the principle theme of his works however later on he began genre painting in 1733 to around 1751. From 1751 he began to paint still life again.
In later life Chardin’s sight began to fail him so he took up the use of pastels which he then used to make beautiful portraits.


'Basket of Wild Strawberries'


In both artworks Chardin demonstrates his ability to create realistic works of art. Both 'Basket of Wild Strawberries' and 'Basket of Plums' demonstrate Chardins ability to create amazingly textured still life where the surface of such things as the fruit (seen in both paintings) are duplicates of the original and appear very 'touchable'.
Chardin demonstrates his ability to play with lighting. Most of his still lifes appear as if light is radiating from behind the subject bringing attention to the central theme. He creates very 3 dimensional pieces through use of lighting and shadow.
Chardin uses very simple geometric grouping as is demonstrated through such things as the triangular form of the stack of strawberries within 'Basket of wild strawberries' and the triangular form of the stack of plums within 'Basket of Plums'.


Basket of Plums

Yasumasa Morimura
Yasumasa Morimura was born in Osaka Japan in 1951. He graduated from Kyoto City University of Arts and is known for his solo exhibitions which consist of various works of his that are appropriated images of famous works of art. Morimura's pieces consist of his face or features of his face appropriated onto various famous artworks and photographs.
Morimura's works range from Eastern to Western arts and demonstrates an obvious unique and unusual expression of beauty. Using forms of digital media Morimura reconstructs a famed artwork of beauty and interprets it according to the meaning or purpose he perceives from the image.

Among re-creating paintings and photographs, Morimuri recreates the textures of the originals often by phsically applying elaborate makeup to his features to get the desired effect.

"Art is basically entertainment. Even Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci were entertainers. In that way, I am an entertainer and want to make art that is fun." a quote of Yasumasa Morimura that somewhat gives us an insight to the unique designs of his work.
MoriMura's works are strange yet unique and interesting. Morimura's work stand as more than a testimony of good fun but also demonstrates his love of art and attention to great detail. Morimura's works of appropriated artworks are not simply just replacing the faces of famous works with his own but show his ability to duplicate the expressions and actions of the original in meticulous detail. Such as in his rendition of Marylin monroe, not only does his stance and outwardly appearance mimic hers, his expression attempts to also follow the original in great detail. Alike this his appropriated works of famous paintings(in reference to the image below) mimics the subjects seriousness, however betrays a sense of good natured fun.
By inserting his face into famous western art works, many consider it as a message of 'settling the score' with the dominant western colonizer. His works often ask his audience whether the western icons would be as attractive were they of a different culture. Many believing that his works not only criticize western icons but pay them tribute also.