Vanitas: The Still Life Photographs of Audrey Flack

Audrey Flack (1931-2024) was an American visual artist who worked in a variety of mediums and was considered a pioneer in the genre of Photorealism, rendering fastidious still-life paintings based on the color photographs she took. This exhibit is a collection of those original photographic works. Flack’s careful arrangement of objects, including those symbolic of the ephemerality of life, is inspired by the 17th century Flemish painting tradition, which she updates through the lens of feminism and pop culture.

This is the third in a series of small exhibitions developed in partnership with the Penn Art Collection and drawing from items in the University’s remarkable fine art collection.

About the Penn Art Collection

The Penn Art Collection includes over 8,000 artworks acquired during the past 250 years. On view in over 100 different locations, the Penn Art Collection includes paintings, sculptures, photography, works on paper, and decorative arts. Intended for the enrichment of all, artwork can be found in classrooms, campus libraries, in offices, and on Locust Walk.

Plan Your Visit

On view January 14 to May 19, 2025. This display is free and open to the public. Find it in the 5th Floor Alcove of the Van Pelt-Dietrich Library Center (turn left after exiting the elevator on the 5th floor). Visitors can see the display any time the library is open. Penn faculty, staff, and students must swipe their PennCard for access. Visitors from outside the Penn community must present a current, valid government or school-issued photo ID that contains an expiration date. Find more information to plan your visit.