Artwork
Still Life with Fan and Pendant
Still Life with Fan and Pendant is an oil painting by the Impressionist artist Samuel Marsden Brookes. It dates from 1870 and is held in the collection of the National Gallery of Art.
About this work
Overview
Brookes, recognized for his still lifes, particularly those featuring fish and game, here presents a domestic arrangement.
Samuel Marsden Brookes, an American painter of English origin, created Still Life with Fan and Pendant around 1870. This oil on board painting exemplifies his focus on detailed, realistic compositions. Brookes, recognized for his still lifes, particularly those featuring fish and game, here presents a domestic arrangement. The work showcases his commitment to naturalistic representation through a careful depiction of everyday objects.
Subject & Meaning
The painting features a meticulously arranged collection of domestic items on a dark table. A vase adorned with gold filigree holds white flowers and green foliage, positioned alongside a fan. A blue box and a white cloth are also present, complementing a jewelry box that reveals a pendant. These elements are set against a dark brown background, creating a focused and intimate tableau that invites close observation of texture and form.
Technique & Style
Brookes executed Still Life with Fan and Pendant in the realist tradition, emphasizing precise observation and faithful rendering of his subjects. His approach prioritizes detailed depictions, capturing the nuances of light and shadow, and the textures of the various objects. This naturalistic style, characteristic of his still life work, reflects a dedication to technical skill and a desire to present the tangible world with clarity and accuracy.
Context
Samuel Marsden Brookes initially established his career as a portrait painter before dedicating himself to still life compositions, a genre for which he became widely recognized. His artistic practice, rooted in realism, often explored common subjects with meticulous attention. Brookes was also associated with the Bohemian Grove, an organization that brought together artists, writers, and other prominent figures of his era, reflecting a broader engagement with the cultural landscape of his time.
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Artist & collection
Artist
Samuel Marsden Brookes (8 March 1816, Newington Green, Middlesex – 31 January 1892, San Francisco) was an English-born American painter.
