Annotated Bibliography Entry: "The Not-So-Still Lifes of Giovanna Garzoni" by Mary D. Garrard
Dublin Core
Title
Annotated Bibliography Entry: "The Not-So-Still Lifes of Giovanna Garzoni" by Mary D. Garrard
Description
Garrard D., Mary. “The Not-So-Still Lifes of Giovanna Garzoni.” Essay. In "The Immensity of the Universe" in the Art of Giovanna Garzoni, 62-77. Sillabe, 2020.
Mary D. Garrard's essay within Sheila Barker's catalogue discusses the work of Giovanna Garzoni (1600-1670), an Italian Baroque painter who is known for her impactful still life works. Garrard states that although Garzoni is famous for her still lifes, she also created religious works for Charles Emanuel II and Christine de France when she was working in Turin. Garrard also outlines many of Garzoni's tendencies and symbolisms throughout her works. For example, her attention to detail with fruits such as figs contain allusions to male and female genitalia, which illustrate and underscore the power of sexual reproduction in plants and animals. Garrard also believes that Garzoni's inclusion of brown spots are intentional symbols of natural decaying. This source proceeds to compare the work of Garzoni with that of Fede Galizia (1578-1630), another Italian still life painter. This source asserts Galizia as the creator of this still life movement, but acknowledges that Garzoni included more variety in her fruit subjects. Garrard takes note of the geographic contexts of these works, discussing Garzoni's time in Florence with the Medici, and Galizia's time in Milan and the Lombardy region of Italy more broadly. This source discusses still life works from different Baroque artists, including many of Garzoni's works, such as "A Plate of Figs" and "Still Life with Birds and Fruit", Galizia's works such as "Peaches on a Stand, with Apples and Jasmine", and also the works of Caravaggio, like his "Basket of Fruit". Garrard's inclusion of other Italian still lifes provides historical and artistic context to Garzoni's pieces that this exhibit explores.
Mary D. Garrard's essay within Sheila Barker's catalogue discusses the work of Giovanna Garzoni (1600-1670), an Italian Baroque painter who is known for her impactful still life works. Garrard states that although Garzoni is famous for her still lifes, she also created religious works for Charles Emanuel II and Christine de France when she was working in Turin. Garrard also outlines many of Garzoni's tendencies and symbolisms throughout her works. For example, her attention to detail with fruits such as figs contain allusions to male and female genitalia, which illustrate and underscore the power of sexual reproduction in plants and animals. Garrard also believes that Garzoni's inclusion of brown spots are intentional symbols of natural decaying. This source proceeds to compare the work of Garzoni with that of Fede Galizia (1578-1630), another Italian still life painter. This source asserts Galizia as the creator of this still life movement, but acknowledges that Garzoni included more variety in her fruit subjects. Garrard takes note of the geographic contexts of these works, discussing Garzoni's time in Florence with the Medici, and Galizia's time in Milan and the Lombardy region of Italy more broadly. This source discusses still life works from different Baroque artists, including many of Garzoni's works, such as "A Plate of Figs" and "Still Life with Birds and Fruit", Galizia's works such as "Peaches on a Stand, with Apples and Jasmine", and also the works of Caravaggio, like his "Basket of Fruit". Garrard's inclusion of other Italian still lifes provides historical and artistic context to Garzoni's pieces that this exhibit explores.
Creator
Mary D. Garrard (Edited by Sheila Barker)
Source
Mary D. Garrard. “The Not-So-Still Lifes of Giovanna Garzoni.” Essay. In "The Immensity of the Universe" in the Art of Giovanna Garzoni, 62-77. Sillabe, 2020.
Publisher
Sillabe (Printed by Genesi, Città di Castello)
Date
2020
Contributor
Cameron DeChurch
Format
21 cm by 25 cm
Language
English and Italian
Type
Book and Exhibit
Coverage
Uffizi Galleries, Florence, Italy
Files
Citation
Mary D. Garrard (Edited by Sheila Barker), “Annotated Bibliography Entry: "The Not-So-Still Lifes of Giovanna Garzoni" by Mary D. Garrard,” ARTHIST 256 - Italian Baroque Art - Fall 2021, accessed October 22, 2026, https://www.baroque.dahvc.org/fall-2021/items/show/242.