Nature Morte: Contemporary artists reinvigorate the Still–Life tradition

Provocative, poignant reimaginings of the still life by over 180 international contemporary artists

This visually stunning book reveals how leading artists of the twentyfirst century are reinvigorating the still life, a genre previously synonymous with the sixteenth- and seventeenth-century Old Masters.

Michael Petry’s careful curation celebrates works by emerging and established artists alike, from all over the globe, including John Currin, Elmgreen & Dragset, Renata Hegyi, Damien Hirst, David Hockney, Jeff Koons, Beatriz Milhazes, Gabriel Orozco, Elizabeth Peyton, Marc Quinn, Sam Taylor-Wood and Ai Weiwei.

Short but compelling introductions begin each chapter and are followed by dramatic, visually led spreads that pair each work with a perceptive reading of its significance to the still-life tradition.

Michael Petry is an artist, curator and Director of Museum of Contemporary Art (MOCA), London. He is the author of Installation Art, Installation in the New Millennium and The Art of Not Making, all published by Thames & Hudson.