Image credit: 'Carolina Parakeets' by John Audubon, Audubon.org

Artists in Philadelphia were the first to define still life art practice in America and remained at the forefront until well into the twentieth century. 'Audubon to Warhol - The Art of American Still Life' is a new exhibition from the Philadelphia Museum of Art which explores American still life from the late 1700's to Andy Warhol's era of Pop Art in the 1960's. 

Featuring masterpieces by one of our most admired artists, John James Audubon, the show exhibits 130 oil paintings, watercolours and other accomplished specimens of this genre.

Above: 'Peonies in the Wind' c.1893, by John La Farge (Seattle Art Museum. Acquired with donations from The Kreielsheimer Foundation, Ann and Tom Barwick, The Virginia Wright Fund, Ann H. and John H. Hauberg, The Margaret E. Fuller Purchase Fund, and the American Art Purchase Fund)

Four distinct eras of American still life are the focus of the exhibition and look at the huge variation in still life over the years. The viewer is encouraged to see the still life art form as a reflection of American identity and culture.

Left: 'Still Life with Goldfish' 1974, by Roy Lichtenstein (Philadelphia Museum of Art: Purchased with the Edith H Bell Fund, 1974-110-1) Copyright Estate of Roy Lichtenstein. Right: 'Two Calla Lilies on Pink' 1928, by Georgia O'Keeffe (Philadelphia Museum of Art: Bequest of Georgia O'Keeffe for the Alfred Stieglitz Collection, 1987-70-4) Copyright The Georgia O'Keeffe Foundation / Artists Rights Society (ARS), New York. 

Above: 'Rubens Peale with a Geranium' 1801, by Rembrandt Peale (National Gallery of Art, Washington, DC: Patrons'Permanent Fund)

The exhibition uses interactive technologies and theatrical displays to ensure visitors fully engage with the art as the still life works draw you in with their careful observations and fine detail. We'd love to immerse ourselves in the art if we were a bit closer. Perhaps an EJS field trip is in order!

Audubon to Warhol - The Art of American Still Life 

October 27th 2015 - January 25th 2016

Tickets: Adults $25, seniors $23, students $20. Free for members and children under 12 years.

Philadelphia Museum of Art

2600 Benjamin Franklin Parkway

Philadelphia, PA, 19130

Open: Tuesday - Sunday 10am - 5pm, late night Wednesday and Friday until 8.45pm