A Complete Guide to Staffage: What It Is and How to Enhance Your Art
You've definitely seen lots of examples of staffage, but you may not have realised it or paid attention to it. Read on to find out what staffage is, how artists have used it in their work, and the effect it has. Let's go!
What is Staffage?
Staffage is a term that describes the anonymous human and animal figures in a painting or drawing. They will not be the primary focus of the work, but their inclusion is significant. These figures are from all areas of society, from soldiers, sailors, peasants, merchants and genteel folk, who play a crucial role in augmenting the overall scene. They add depth, scale, visual interest and a sense of realism to the composition.
The Embarkation of the Queen of Sheba (1648) by Claude Lorrain (born Claude Gellée, traditionally known as Claude)
What Are Some Examples of Staffage in Art?
In Joost Cornelisz Droochsloot's (1586-1666) painting, 'A Village with Peasants and a Feud in the Foreground' (below), staffage serves a technical and aesthetic function. It gives us a glimpse into the various scenes and stories of the everyday world of rural village life, but it also works as a tool to create a sense of scale and perspective, enhancing the overall composition.
'The Stone Mason's Yard' (below) by Giovanni Antonio Canal (1697 – 1768), commonly known as Canaletto. He created beautifully detailed paintings, both real and imagined, of cityscapes, landscapes and grand buildings in Italy and England. Canaletto's staffage adds a sense of lively realism to his compositions and invites the viewer to speculate upon each figure's unique narrative.
Staffage is not limited to paintings and drawings but is also an essential element of architectural drawing. For example, you may see figures congregating around an area to draw attention to its features or to indicate how it should be used or accessed. The figures depicted in staffage are idealised, wearing fashionable clothing and participating in pleasurable activities. They help create a sense of aspirational living and guide the viewer's attention to the key elements of the architectural design.
Lincoln Inn Fields Via The Soane Museum
Where Can I Learn More About Staffage?
We've enjoyed learning about staffage from Frances Sands, the Soane Museum's Curator of Drawings and Books. She recorded a fascinating lecture to accompany 'Fanciful Figures', an exhibition about staffage she has curated at the Soane Museum. Watch the lecture here.
Sunrise (1646–47) by Claude Lorrain
