Artwork
Still Life with Books

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


















