Life is Short but Art Lasts Long: Edward Collier's 'Parliament'

A Still Life - Ekphrastic Writing Course Part Two

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This is a post for paid subscribers. It contains the second part of a three part ekphrastic writing course built around still life art. Below the paywall you’ll find the notes and writing prompts that you can use in any way you want: as a journalling prompt, to create poetry, to tap into a personal narrative with creative non fiction/memoir. This is a series of posts designed to create art from art, and to connect to the moments that might happen outside of the frame of the still life painting. Not a subscriber? You can rectify that here:

Last week we were in Herculaneum:

This week we’re back in England, in 1699, where Dutch painter Edward Collier/ Evert Collier is painting for the English market. In the 17th century, the still life movement hasn’t really taken off in England as it has in the Netherlands, but it is a sign of status to have Dutch still life paintings on your wall in England. Enter Edward, painting for the middle classes.

I should probably offer a warning here, we are talking about death. If you are in grief, or feel you might be affected by death talk, go gently with yourself.