Still life painting was a major feature of Tristram Hillier’s work
This section features four still life paintings produced between 1950-74 – click through the gallery below to explore
Hillier painted still lifes throughout his career, often depicting objects associated with food, alcohol and smoking. In 1955 he was commissioned by Shell to paint twelve still lifes to be included in the Shell Nature Studies series. The paintings were influenced by the Dutch masters and showed Hillier’s outstanding gifts as a draughtsman.
Private collection
© The Estate of Tristram Hillier/Bridgeman Images
Tempera on board, 31 x 43 cm
This painting of apples is typical of the artist’s meticulous style and shows his debt to the great masters of still life such as Chardin (1699–1779). The grain of the wooden table top is rendered with the same precision as the apples themselves.
This painting of apples is typical of the artist’s meticulous style and shows his debt to the great masters of still life such as Chardin (1699–1779).
The grain of the wooden table top is rendered with the same precision as the apples themselves.
Southampton City Art Gallery
© The Estate of Tristram Hillier/Bridgeman Images
Oil on canvas, 61 x 61 cm
The Green Bottle was acquired by Southampton City Art Gallery in the year it was painted. It was one of the works that marked Hillier’s return to still life painting after the Second World War and is a virtuoso rendering of the fall of light on a group of disparate objects.
The Green Bottle was one of the works that marked Hillier’s return to still life painting after the Second World War and is a virtuoso rendering of the fall of light on a group of disparate objects.
It was acquired by Southampton City Art Gallery in the year it was painted.
Private collection
© The Estate of Tristram Hillier/Bridgeman Images
Oil on canvas, 28 x 39 cm
In 1960 Sacheverell Sitwell wrote of Hillier, ‘He is an exceedingly able still-life painter… A mouse with a cold might make straight for his loaf of bread.’ Another critic asked complainingly ‘Why depict loaves with such stainless-steeliness?’ With collectors Hillier’s still lifes remained poplar throughout his post-war career.
In 1960 Sacheverell Sitwell wrote of Hillier, ‘He is an exceedingly able still-life painter… A mouse with a cold might make straight for his loaf of bread.’ Another critic asked complainingly ‘Why depict loaves with such stainless-steeliness?’ With collectors Hillier’s still lifes remained poplar throughout his post-war career.
Private collection
© The Estate of Tristram Hillier/Bridgeman Images
Oil on panel, 49 x 60 cm
In 1980 Still-Life with Apples, Jug and Bottle was exhibited at the Lefevre Gallery in the last exhibition of Hillier’s work held during his lifetime. The painting maintains the controlled perfection that had so long typified his art. Only the casually-placed packet of cigarettes seems to speak of human frailty. Hillier smoked cigarettes and a pipe throughout his adult life.
In 1980 Still-Life with Apples, Jug and Bottle was exhibited at the Lefevre Gallery in the last exhibition of Hillier’s work held during his lifetime. The painting maintains the controlled perfection that had so long typified his art. Only the casually-placed packet of cigarettes seems to speak of human frailty. Hillier smoked cigarettes and a pipe throughout his adult life.
Gallery