Still life: still life painting in the early modern period

Abstract

"How do the objects in a still life reflect the habits, thoughts and aspirations of the time? This is one of the questions which Norbert Schneider asks in this book. The period between the late Middle Ages and the 17th century was without doubt the heyday of the still life. It is an art form which gives us valuable insights into changes of mentality and philosophy as well as people's notions of death. Still lifes chart the history of scientific discoveries and their acceptance as well as the gradual replacement of the mediaeval concepts of the world."--Front cover flap.

Contents

Introduction -- Origins and early stages of the still life -- Kitchen scenes -- Game still lifes -- Depictions of the five senses -- Vanitas still lifes -- Dessert and confectionery still lifes -- Ontbijtjes : laid tables -- Fruit still lifes (fruit baskets) -- Flower still lifes -- Religious still lifes of flowers and fruit -- 'Museums,' wonder chambers and natural history collections -- Musical instruments -- Weapons -- Books -- Forest still lifes.