Arts & Entertainment

DIA Downtown: 'Still Life' in a Quiet Park

Dutch artist's painting is one of seven works on display in downtown Birmingham this fall.

A digital reproduction of Still Life: A Letter Rack from 1692 by Dutch artist Edwart Collyer adds to the scenery at the already quiet  in Birmingham. The piece is part of the Detroit Institute of Arts' (DIA) Inside|Out program, which takes art reproductions to the streets of suburban Detroit communities.

Here's what the DIA had to say about Still Life: A Letter Rack:

The artist painted the typical possessions of a refined, educated Dutch peron using a technique called trompe l'oeil, meaning "to fool the eye." Notice the newspaper, which you can actually read in the reflections on every pearl, and the stretching of leather strips under the tacks — these details make the painting look lifelike and almost three-dimensional.

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Make sure to read more about the DIA Inside|Out program in Birmingham and check out a walking map of the artwork.

More coverage

  • Monday:
  • Tuesday:
  • Wednesday:
  • Thursday:

Find out what's happening in Birminghamwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

More from Birmingham