Paintings depicting aspects of the natural world were so characteristic of the Netherlands that, during the seventeenth century, the Dutch words stilleven and landschap were adopted into English as “still life” and “landscape.” Before the mid-1600s, though, the Dutch themselves usually referred to pictures by their …

It’s no coincidence many still lifes from the Dutch Golden Age feature flies sitting on fruit or flowers; in addition to showcasing the skills of artists to paint intricate detail, they have been interpreted as symbolising corruption and mortality.

Still life, as a particular genre, began with Netherlandish painting of the 16th and 17th centuries, and the English term still life derives from the Dutch word stilleven. Early still-life paintings, particularly before 1700, often contained religious and allegorical symbolism relating to the objects depicted.

The Dutch, being Protestants, had banished Catholic-style Christian art, which was still the main form of painting in Catholic countries. Once they had gained their independence, they expressed their contentment in the enjoyment of the good things of life: fine, solid houses, convivial company, clothes of high quality.

Still-Life Painting in Northern Europe, 1600–1800

• Still Life with Flowers, a Snail and Insects.
• Vanitas Still Life.
• A Vase with Flowers.
• Still Life with a Skull and a Writing Quill.
• Still Life with Shells and a Chip-Wood Box.
• Still Life with Oysters, a Silver Tazza, and Glassware.
• Still Life.
• Still Life with Lobster and Fruit.

Make a small rough sketch in the corner of your paper. Start with a rectangle to represent the paper dimentions. Sketch out objects by comparing their proportions to each other. This will help you to start drawing your still-life with a correct placement.