Neapolitan Still Life Painting
Project by Kayla Marr
Early Modern Neapolitan Still Life
Neapolitan still-life painting was well–regarded and shaped by a network of artists in baroque period Naples. Although still life paintings intially emerged as a relatively cheap and under-valued artowrk type, Neapolitan still life paintings enjoyed widespread popularity in baroque Naples. Located in southern Italy, Naples is positioned on the western coast of Italy, facing the gulf of Naples. During the Baroque period, which extends from the 17th century to the mid 18th century, Naples was a Kingdom that was part of the Spanish Empire and was governed by Spanish viceroys [1]. Naples was the second-largest city in Europe at the time, and was the site of artistic exchange between artists internationally. Notably, several artists from Spain, the Netherlands, and Flanders, which certainly had an impact on the artists in Naples. This was an exciting period that has had lasting impacts in terms of an internationalism and cross current understanding of artistic exchange.
Pictured below, is a chart displaying the network of notable still life painters in Naples during this time period. The artists included in the chart were responsible for the establishment of a uniquely Neapolitan still life style of painting. Furthermore, the artists included in the chart are described in greater detail throughout this site. The artists discussed in this project include:Luca Forte, Giacomo Recco, Paolo Porpora, Giuseppe Recco, Giovan Battista Recco, Giovan Battista Ruoppolo, and Elena Recco. Navigate to each artists' page using the side bar. This chart demonstrates the influence of other artists on each other's works. This project describes the relationships that these artists had with each other and the broader social and economic system of Naples. Thus, this project looks at both the biographical background of artists and the commercial aspect of art and the economy of art that the artists were involved. Neapolitan still life was highly valued in both a critical as well as an economic sense.
Further Research
This project is contributing to the overall limited scholarship on Early Modern Neapolitan Still Life painting. This project attempts to piece together what is currently known about these artists in one location, and it is an attempt to address the need for further research in this realm.
Works Cited
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Favro, Diane, Roberto Coroneo, Riccardo Lattuada, Ronald G. Musto, Riccardo Lattuarda, Candace J. Adelson, Annamaria Giusti, Clare Le Corbeiller, C. Bruzelius, and Giovanna Cassese. "Naples." Grove Art Online. 2003; Accessed 15 Nov. 2021. https://www.oxfordartonline.com/groveart/view/10.1093/gao/9781884446054.001.0001/oao-9781884446054-e-7000060909.