Evaristo Studio of Baschenis Paintings

Evaristo Baschenis was an Italian Baroque painter who is best known for his still life paintings, particularly those featuring musical instruments. Born in Bergamo, Lombardy, in 1617, into a family with strong artistic traditions, Baschenis was influenced by the cultural environment of his hometown, which at the time was a significant center for music and painting. His father, Giacomo Baschenis, was also a painter, and it is likely that Evaristo's initial training took place in his father's workshop.

Evaristo Baschenis's work is characterized by a meticulous attention to detail and a profound understanding of the textures and surfaces of the objects he painted. His still lifes often include a variety of musical instruments, such as violins, lutes, and harpsichords, which are rendered with astonishing realism and a deep sense of materiality. The compositions are typically enriched with additional elements like scores of music, books, and sometimes fruits, all of which are arranged against dark, neutral backgrounds that enhance the luminosity of the objects.

Throughout his career, Baschenis remained active in Bergamo and its surroundings, receiving numerous commissions from local patrons, churches, and confraternities. His paintings were highly appreciated for their clarity, order, and the tranquil atmosphere they conveyed, which reflected the intellectual interests and tastes of the Lombard aristocracy of the time. Despite his regional success, Baschenis did not gain the same level of fame as some of his contemporaries during his lifetime. However, he is now recognized as one of the most important still life painters of the 17th century in Italy.

Evaristo Baschenis died in Bergamo in 1677. After his death, his work was somewhat forgotten until the 20th century when art historians began to reassess the still life genre and Baschenis's contribution to it. Today, his paintings are held in high regard and can be found in various museums and private collections, serving as exemplary works of the still life tradition in Baroque art.