Artwork

Still Life with Books

Still Life with Books, by Unknown, paint, 1635
Still Life with Books, by Unknown, paint, 1635

Still Life with Books is a paint painting by the Dutch Golden Age artist Unknown. It dates from 1635 and is held in the collection of the Gemäldegalerie Berlin.

About this work

Overview

Still Life with Books is a painting depicting a collection of objects on a table or shelf. The work is executed in paint and showcases a still life arrangement.

Subject & Meaning

The painting features a stack of worn books, some open with dog-eared pages, alongside an hourglass and a quill pen lodged in an inkwell. The objects are arranged to convey a sense of studiousness and the passage of time.

Technique & Style

The artist has employed a realistic style, capturing the textures and details of the objects with precision. The use of chiaroscuro, with light coming from the right, creates strong shadows and adds depth to the composition.

Context

The still life arrangement and the objects depicted suggest a connection to themes of scholarship, literature, and the transience of human endeavor.

Artist & collection

Artist

Unknown

entity whose identity is not known

This work is in the public domain (CC0). Image source: Gemäldegalerie Berlin open access. Spotted an error in this record? Tell us.