Still life with flies, Illustrated London Almanack, 1861
1861
About this artwork
A detailed botanical-style still life illustration featuring various fruits, glassware, and insects on a white cloth, published in the Illustrated London Almanack of 1861.
Did you know?
Still lifes featuring insects like flies were a common trope in 19th-century academic art, often used to display the artist's technical prowess in painting textures and light. By depicting a fly, the artist adds a layer of 'memento mori' or simply a clever trompe-l'oeil effect intended to fool the viewer into swatting at the image. This particular print was likely intended for a wider audience as part of a popular Victorian-era almanac.
Know the artwork. Knowing its title and artist turns a beautiful image into a story worth sharing — with a museum label:
Still life with flies, Illustrated London Almanack, 1861
AnonymousUnknown author, 1861
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