What is the thematic context of Skinned Head of a Young Bull?

cremonese & bergamasca, baroque still life tradition, memento mori symbolism, vanitas aesthetic", aristocratic patronage, decline of animal form, detailed anatomical study, boselli's signature style

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Artwork Description

To the still life artists of the Baroque, God was to be found in everyday objects. therefor it was possible for artists to choose motifs as humble and anti-heroic as offal.The only part that can be put to no use by the butcher is the head. Everything else on the ox can be boiled, braised, or salted away. What was once a proud animal is now a dismembered, flayed piece of garbage left on the edge of a stone table. The Baroque age made it possible for artists to choose motifs as humble and anti-heroic as offal.Darkness closes in around the bull’s head, keeping our attention focused on it. Boselli’s hyper-realistic brush records everything down to the smallest detail: the long, bristling eyelashes, the rasping texture of the tongue, the light caught in the enamel of an exposed tooth, etc. The darkness and the realistic style of painting elevates the motif into something that is almost metaphysical in nature. To the still life artists of the Baroque, God was to be found in everyday objects, in food, in pots and pans, or in a flayed bull’s head as is the case here.During his long career Boselli became one of Italy’s leading painters of still lifes. His circle of patrons included the aristocracy, whose residences he decorated with series of still lifes, flower arrangements, and landscapes.

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Artist Biography

early life and training

felice boselli, an italian painter of the baroque period, was born in piacenza in 1650. contrary to previous claims, he was not a pupil of giuseppe nuvolone but rather studied under michelangelo nuvolone, giuseppe's brother. this apprenticeship led to his introduction to angelo maria crivelli, also known as il crivellone, who significantly influenced boselli's style.

artistic style and notable works

boselli is renowned for his still-life paintings, particularly those featuring live and dead game, including animals, birds, and fish. his works are characterized by their vivid realism and attention to detail. some of his notable pieces include:

skinned head of a young bull (national gallery of denmark), showcasing his mastery of capturing the textures and tones of animal subjects.
turnips, game, mushrooms and a magpie (musei civici di palazzo farnese, piacenza), demonstrating his ability to compose diverse elements into a cohesive piece.
fish, living animals and vegetables (musei civici di palazzo farnese, piacenza), highlighting his versatility in depicting various subjects with equal skill.

key influences: - the school of cremonese - the bergamasca style of evaristo baschenis - flemish and italian still-life painters

career highlights and legacy

after marrying barbara draghi in parma, boselli continued to produce an impressive body of work, including nearly a hundred still-life paintings, many of which are now housed in lombard and emilian museums. his son, orazio, also became a painter, active in the early 18th century. view more works by felice boselli on ArtsDot: - [https://ArtsDot.com/@/felice-boselli](https://ArtsDot.com/@/felice-boselli) - explore his collection of still-life paintings: /en/art/show/art-aqrggt-en/ learn more about the baroque period and its notable artists on ArtsDot: - /en/art/list/ - discover the extensive collection of baroque art: [https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3cl2x--a-journey-through-art-history-with-ArtsDot-s-extensive-collection-](https://ArtsDot.com/@@/a@d3cl2x--a-journey-through-art-history-with-ArtsDot-s-extensive-collection-)

Felice Boselli

1650 - 1732 , Italy

Quick Facts

Artistic Movement Or Style: Baroque, Still Life
Artists Or Movements Influenced By This Artist:
- Cremonese School
- Bergamasca style
Artists Who Influenced This Artist:
- Michelangelo Nuvolone
- Angelo Maria Crivelli
Date Of Birth: 1650 (Piacenza)
Date Of Death: 1732 (Parma)
Full Name: Felice Boselli
Nationality: Italian
Notable Artworks:
- Skinned bull head
- Turnips & game
- Fish & vegetables
Place Of Birth: Piacenza, Italy